Howson-Kispiox-Microwave-Sinclair-Ningunsaw-North Bulkley — Avalanche Forecast

No new avalanches reported. We suspect the current weather is driving the avalanche danger in the afternoons, producing wet loose avalanches up to size 2.Large (up to size 3) persistent slab avalanches have been reported periodically over the past couple of weeks, likely during periods of warming, solar radiation, and/or wind loading. The most recent report occurred within the past few days on an east aspect at approximately 1700 m (see photo below for details).

A widespread surface crust is expected to form overnight at treeline and above, with crust thickness and strength varying with the quality of the overnight refreeze. Isolated north-facing areas in high-alpine terrain may still hold pockets of dry, loose surface snow.Below treeline, a limited or lack of overnight refreeze will result in a moist or isothermal upper snowpack.A layer of weak, sugary snow over a thick crust is buried 100 to 200 cm and continues to produce large, surprising avalanches.With daytime warming and sun, the snowpack will weaken throughout the day.