Avalanche Forecast
Northwest Inland
Strong outflow winds have left behind a mix of old and new wind slabs on various aspects in wind-exposed areas. Seek out supported slopes in wind-sheltered terrain for the safest and best skiing and riding.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.
- Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
- Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.
Avalanche Summary
Storm snow and moderate to strong winds have grown cornices and formed widespread wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline elevations.
On Wednesday there were reports of numerous natural wind slab and cornice releases up to size 3 triggered by rapid wind-loading. These reports were on predominantly north through east aspects above 1800 m. There were also reports of skier triggered avalanches up to size 2, including a close call north of Kispiox where the 4th skier on the slope triggered a buried wind slab on an east aspect at 1450 m.
On Tuesday there were reports from northern parts of the region of loose dry storm snow releases up to size 1.5 in steep terrain as well as a skier triggered storm slab (size 1) on steep, southeast-facing, roll that failed on a buried sun crust.
Snowpack Summary
Moderate to strong outflow winds have been redistributing 50-70 cm of new and recent storm snow in exposed areas. This storm snow has buried old, hard wind slabs and scoured surfaces in exposed areas as well as sun crusts or dry facets in sheltered terrain.
A crust/surface hoar layer buried mid-January is now roughly 80-140 cm below the surface, and still has the potential to be triggered from a thin snowpack spot, or with a large trigger like cornice fall.
Facets at the base of the snowpack could also possibly be triggered from shallow snowpack areas.
Weather Forecast
Sunday: Mainly sunny with some valley cloud due to a weak temperature inversion. Light variable winds. Alpine high temperatures of -11, slightly cooler at lower elevations.
Monday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. Light west winds. Alpine high temperatures of -13.
Tuesday: Cloudy with scattered flurries bringing 1-3 cm of new snow, increasing overnight. Alpine high temperatures of -9.
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Strong wind has been pressing and redistributing new snow into reactive slabs, particularly at upper elevations and on open features at and below treeline. Expect these slabs to remain reactive to the weight of a person.