Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 24th, 2019–Nov 25th, 2019

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Northwest Inland.

Venture cautiously as you investigate the outcome of the storm. Use this forecast as an initial assessment and gather information as you travel. Remember to post your observations to the Mountain Information Network!

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

Sunday night: Cloudy with isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. Moderate northwest winds.

Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate northwest winds. Alpine high temperatures around -8.

Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate northeast winds increasing over the day. Alpine high temperatures around -10, cooling over the day.

Wednesday: Sunny. Moderate to strong northeast winds. Alpine high temperatures around -16.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have yet been reported in the region, but it's safe to assume Saturday's storm caused natural avalanche activity in at higher elevations.

For the early part of this week, the focus remains on the new snow, particularly in areas where winds may have blown it into deep and reactive wind slabs.

Concern is reduced in areas where the new snow wasn't quite able to overcome the depth of ground roughness.

Snowpack Summary

25 to 30 cm of new snow accumulated in the region over the course of Saturday's storm. Observations in the region are limited, but we have indications that for most areas where previous snow cover existed, the new snow buried a supportive melt-freeze crust.

The new snow is not expected to bond well to this surface over the near term.

Total snow depths are likely approaching 50-70 cm at alpine elevations in the Smithers area, with depths diminishing rapidly with elevation below 1500 metres.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.