| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine | 5 Extreme | 4 High | 3 Considerable |
| At Treeline | 5 Extreme | 3 Considerable | 3 Considerable |
| Below Treeline | 4 High | 3 Considerable | 2 Moderate |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine | 3 Considerable | 3 Considerable | 3 Considerable |
| At Treeline | 3 Considerable | 2 Moderate | 2 Moderate |
| Below Treeline | 1 Low | 1 Low | 1 Low |
The orange segments show which aspects are most affected by the primary concern. If the icon is completely orange, this means the primary concern exists on all slopes.
Alpine, Treeline and Below Treeline are separate zones with distinct characteristics. The arrow points to the zones most affected by the primary concern. For more information on elevation zones, click here.
Indicates the time of day where the primary concern is likely to be a problem. Avalanche conditions can change between shady, cool mornings and sunny, warm afternoons. If both icons appear, it means the primary concern is present all day.
Extreme mountaintop winds are expected with the approaching frontal system
The orange segments show which aspects are most affected by the primary concern. If the icon is completely orange, this means the primary concern exists on all slopes.
Alpine, Treeline and Below Treeline are separate zones with distinct characteristics. The arrow points to the zones most affected by the primary concern. For more information on elevation zones, click here.
Indicates the time of day where the primary concern is likely to be a problem. Avalanche conditions can change between shady, cool mornings and sunny, warm afternoons. If both icons appear, it means the primary concern is present all day.
An additional 60-80cm of snow is possible in Terrace and coastal areas by Sunday afternoon
The orange segments show which aspects are most affected by the primary concern. If the icon is completely orange, this means the primary concern exists on all slopes.
Alpine, Treeline and Below Treeline are separate zones with distinct characteristics. The arrow points to the zones most affected by the primary concern. For more information on elevation zones, click here.
Indicates the time of day where the primary concern is likely to be a problem. Avalanche conditions can change between shady, cool mornings and sunny, warm afternoons. If both icons appear, it means the primary concern is present all day.
Several persistent weak layers of surface hoar will be overloaded by heavy snow and very large avalanches are almost certain
The avalanche danger has been upgraded to EXTREME in Terrace and coastal areas on Sunday. The system expected to hit the area tonight will bring heavy snowfall and very strong winds. Rapid loading will likely overload buried persistent weak layers and result in widespread large avalanches. Backcountry travel is not recommended.
A natural avalanche cycle is expected in coastal areas on Sunday, but the extent of this cycle will depend on precipitation amounts. Currently 40-50mm is forecast for Terrace. This could equate to around 80cm in the mountains. If snowfall amounts are considerably less we may not reach extreme danger; but high danger is almost certain.
Sunday: Terrace and coastal areas could see as much as 50cm of snow through tonight and Sunday (maybe 5-10cm inland). Winds will be very strong (+100km/h) from the south and the freezing level will be around 1000m. Monday and Tuesday: Continued snow or flurries. Expect an additional 5-10cm per day. Freezing levels around 1300-1500m.
There are numerous reports of large natural and ski/sled triggered avalanches throughout the region in the past 48-72 hours (up to size 4). Check out the Skeena/Babine discussion forum for some great photos and information. Avalanche activity should rapidly increase on Sunday. Expect another widespread cycle of very large avalanches. Lingering natural activity is likely on Monday.
Backcountry travel is not recommended for Terrace and coastal areas on Sunday. Widespread large avalanches are expected. Avoid all avalanche terrain, even the run outs of infrequent avalanches – we may see some avalanches running beyond normal run out zones.
Snowfall amounts will probably be significantly less inland. In these areas watch for signs of unstable snow like whumpfing, shooting cracks, or cracking under your feet or sled. If observed, back off to lower angle terrain. Watch for pockets of wind slab in lee and cross-loaded terrain and avoid exposure to terrain traps.
Many areas received 40-70cm of new snow, with considerably less inland toward Smithers. Strong southerly winds redistributed snow in hard and soft slabs in exposed lee terrain and left wind pressed snow, sastrugi, or scoured areas on windward slopes. Several instabilities are reported in the storm snow. Near Shames the new snow is sitting on a hard crust and was not bonding well initially. Buried surface hoar layers near Terrace and Stewart also continue to show potential for triggering or acting as a step down layer.
Prepared by Peter Marshall
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Recent avalanche incidents for this region. To view all reported incidents please check out the discussion forum:
