Avalanche Forecast
Northwest Inland
Heavy accumulations are possible as an Arctic front sits over the region. Be prepared to dial back your terrain choices.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Weak layers buried 30-80 cm below the surface have produced some recent avalanches, particularly on unsupported features.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Evaluate unsupported slopes critically.
- Avoid shallow or thick to thin snowpack areas where triggering a deeper layer is more likely.
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, evidence of recent natural activity was reported in various parts of the region. Activity included storm slabs up to size 2 on all aspects and dry loose avalanches in steep terrain. On Tuesday, a small storm slab (size 1.5) was triggered by a skier on a southwest aspect at 1250 m.
Some persistent slab activity has been reported on the December weak layer over the past few days as well. Several naturally-triggered size 2 persistent slab avalanches failed naturally at 1200 m in the Howsons on Tuesday. A large naturally-triggered size 3 persistent slab avalanche was reported on an east aspect at 1900 m in the Howsons on Monday. Two large remotely triggered avalanches (size 2.5) were reported on north and west aspects around 1600 m north of Kispiox late last week.
Snowpack Summary
Strong winds have built wind slabs in exposed terrain. 30-60 cm of snow lies over a crust and/or weak feathery surface hoar layer buried in mid-January. The crust exists well into the alpine and the surface hoar can be found in sheltered areas in the lower alpine and treeline elevations.
Another two crust / surface hoar layers that formed in December are buried 50-80 cm below the surface. These layers produced sudden results in recent snowpack tests and have been the suspected weak layer in recent large remotely (from a distance) triggered avalanches.
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY: Flurries with accumulations of 5-10 cm / strong west wind / alpine temperatures around -12 C.
SATURDAY: Another 5-15 cm of snow / moderate to strong west wind / alpine temperatures around -12 C.
SUNDAY: Another 15-30 cm of snow / moderate to strong west wind / alpine temperatures around -10 C.
Avalanche Forecasts in your Inbox
Avalanche Canada has switched to an RSS feed for its daily forecasts. This is a much more flexible method that allows automatic delivery to your email inbox, or to an RSS reader of your choice.
What are RSS feeds?
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Set up an RSS feed for your email:
Select a RSS aggregator
- Northwest Inland URL:
http://www.avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/northwest-inland.rss - Copy the url and paste it into the appropriate field of your RSS aggregator.
- Fill in your email address.
- Voila! Watch the Avalanche Canada forecast roll into your inbox.
Forecast Disclaimer
Avalanche Canada's Public Avalanche Bulletin, and other information and services provided by Avalanche Canada, are intended for personal and recreational purposes only.
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New snow and wind will form fresh wind slabs in higher elevation lee terrain.