Avoid areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin and triggering weak layer is more likely.
The snowpack is complex and contains multiple layers of concern.
Strong outflow (northeast) winds have formed wind slabs on exposed features at all elevations. Cold temperatures may be keeping slabs from bonding to the loose, dry snow below. Be especially cautious near ridge crests and rollovers.
Up to a meter of snow overlies a weak layer, a crust and surface hoar layer, formed in mid-January. This layer may still be reactive to human triggering on slopes where the upper snowpack feels stiff or slabby.
A weak layer buried 100 to 300 cm remains a concern. Avoid shallow rocky areas where the snow transitions from thick to thin and triggering this layer is more likely. If triggered the resulting avalanche would be very large and destructive.
No new avalanches were reported in the region by 4 pm on Wednesday.
Sunday, a natural, size 3, deep persistent slab avalanche was reported in the Kispiox area. This avalanche is suspected to have occurred on Feb 8. The crown was 200 cm deep and it occurred on a north aspect at 1670 m.
Saturday, a skier accidentally triggered a deep persistent slab, size 2, on a northeast aspect at 1700 m. The crown was 60 cm deep. This avalanche ran on the Dec weak layer.
Previous strong northeast outflow winds have scoured windward terrain and loaded south and west facing slopes at all elevations. Ongoing cold temperatures have softened the surface of wind affected terrain in many areas. In sheltered terrain 30 to 60 cm of faceted snow overlies a crust and layer of surface hoar from late January.
Another layer of surface hoar was buried near the middle of January and can be found 50 to 100 cm deep.
A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December varies in depth from 100 to 300 cm. This layer remains a concern in this region.
Wednesday Night
Clear. 15 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.
Thursday
Mainly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
