Northwest Inland

Choose terrain that is sheltered from the wind for the best snow conditions, and lower avalanche danger. Fresh snow and and wind make human triggered avalanches possible.

Happy holidays!

No recent avalanches have been reported in the region. We expect those who head into the backcountry will see evidence of a natural avalanche cycle in wind-loaded alpine features from strong overnight winds.

This MIN post paints a great picture of conditions at The Onion on Sunday.

If you head into the backcountry please consider submitting your observations to the MIN (Mountain Information Network).

Light snowfall continues to refresh the snow surface. Generally strong southerly winds building wind slabs in exposed leeward terrain. South facing slopes (windward), have likely been scoured by the strong winds or have dense, wind packed snow. At lower elevations this storm snow overlies a surface crust.

Two different surface hoar layers have been reported in the upper snowpack (expected to be up to 50 cm deep) and appear to be most prominent at treeline and below. Snowpack depths at treeline are 50 to 100 cm.

Monday Night

Cloudy. 5 to 12 cm of snow. Strong south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rises to around 1100 m. Treeline temperature around -1 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy, possibly clearing in the afternoon. 2 to 5 cm of snow expected, up to 10 cm north of Smithers. Strong southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level falls to around 750 m with treeline temperatures around -7 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 5 cm of snow expected. Strong to extreme southeast wind. Freezing level drops to valley bottom overnight, rising to 500 m through the day. Treeline high around -3 °C.

Thursday

Partly cloudy, 3 to 5 cm of snow expected. Southeast winds, 50 to 60 km/h. Freezing level rising to around 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
• Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.