Avalanche Forecast
Northwest Inland
New and old slabs aren't bonding well to underlying layers. Be cautious on southerly aspects when the sun is out -- it could weaken the snow and trigger avalanches.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
- Observe for signs of instability, such as cracking, whumpfing, and avalanche activity.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Avalanche Summary
On Friday, there was evidence of a widespread natural cycle from the recent storm snow in the south of the region, with slab and loose avalanches generally failing in steep terrain at all elevations. These avalanches were small to large (size 1 to 3).
Snowpack Summary
Thursdays storm brought up to 40 cm of snow to the southern parts of the region, such as around Smithers. This overlies last weekends storm snow that has settled into a reactive slab about 50 cm thick. This slab is not bonding well to two layers of surface hoar, which exist on shaded aspects at high elevations as well as a melt-freeze crust on all aspects at treeline and below treeline elevations.
Deeper in the snowpack, layers of crusts, facets, and isolated surface hoar buried about 100 cm exist from mid-February. Near the bottom of the snowpack, weak and sugary facets are found in shallow, rocky snowpack areas. Storm slabs have stepped down to these facets recently, producing very large avalanches.
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY: Early morning snowfall then mostly sunny, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, light northeasterly winds, alpine temperature -10 C, freezing level 600 m.
MONDAY: Partly cloudy, light southerly winds, alpine temperature -11, freezing level 300 m.
TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy with early-morning snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, light southwesterly winds, alpine temperature -10 C, freezing level 500 m.
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Recent storm slabs are found in the south of the region and older slabs exist in the north. Very large avalanches have occurred, as the slabs are not bonding well to underlying layers of surface hoar, crusts, or sugary facets in thin snowpack areas.