Kitimat

The avalanche danger will increase as the temperature rises.

Wet avalanches can run surprisingly far into the valley bottom. Avoid overhead avalanche terrain.

There have been no recent reports of avalanches occurring, however, information is very limited at this time of year.

Around 30 cm of recent snow above 1500 m sits on a melt freeze crust. At low elevations, It's likely there is a crust on the surface.

Three layers are notable in the snowpack:

• Surface hoar from mid-March can be found 50 to 100 cm down.

• A layer of surface hoar from early-March is buried 100 to 150 cm.

• A layer of facets, surface hoar, and/or a crust from mid-February is buried 100 to 200 cm deep.

At elevations below treeline, the snow pack is rain saturated and isothermal.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 2200 m.

Thursday

Mostly sunny. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +5 °C. Freezing level rising to 3200 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level falling to 1200 m.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
• Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.