Northwest - BC

Date Issued: Friday, 25 February 2011 04:00 PM 
Valid Until: Monday, 28 February 2011 04:00 PM 
Next Update: Saturday, 26 February 2011 04:00 PM 

Smithers & Interior Sections Danger Ratings

					Saturday 	Sunday 			Monday
Alpine 				2 Moderate 	3 Considerable 	3 Considerable
At Treeline 		2 Moderate 	2 Moderate 		2 Moderate
Below Treeline 		1 Low 		1 Low 			1 Low

Avalanche Problem: Wind Slab

Wind slabs on Southerly aspects from strong Northerly outflow winds. The wind should become strong 
from the West tonight and start to develop new wind slabs on Easterly aspects.

Avalanche Problem: Storm Snow
	
The storm snow is settling slowly and may not be well bonded to the old surface.

Special Message

Persistent weak layers remain a concern in parts of the Northwest. Although the likelihood is quite 
low, the potential exists to trigger very large and destructive avalanches in isolated areas. 

Confidence: Fair
Unsure of timing and intensity of the next weather system.

Weather Forecast

Saturday (2/26): Periods of snow; 10-15cm near the coast, 3-5cm inland. Freezing level near 800m 
lowering to valley bottom. Winds are moderate from the W-NW. Sunday: Periods of snow; 5-10cm. 
Freezing level at valley bottom. Monday: Overcast with Northerly winds and the return of colder 
temperatures.

Avalanche Activity

Some skier controlled avalanches up to size 1.0 on wiind affected South aspects.

Travel Advisory

Safe Travel Tips

    * Locations sheltered from the wind could provide quality snow conditions and may have less 
	  avalanche danger. Stick to simple terrain if unsure.
    * Ride in areas where the slope seems planar. Steer away from convex rolls.
    * Be aware of your sluff while riding, it may catch you by surprise and take you down with it. 
	  It may push you into a terrain trap.

Snowpack

40-60 cms of recent storm snow in coastal regions is generally right-side-up and settling slowly. 
Northerly outflow winds have formed wind slabs on southerly aspects at all elevations. Some new 
surface hoar and surface facetting have developed during the last few days.

Prepared by T Riley