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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 7th, 2025–Jan 8th, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
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.

Regions

Northwest Inland, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, North Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Be especially careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.Buried weak layers may become reactive with the added weight of new snow.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, a few small loose and slab avalanches were reported in the Babines. These were likely triggered by sun exposure and warming, as they all occurred on south-facing slopes. During periods of sun on Wednesday may see similar avalanches occur.

Since the middle of last week, no other avalanches have been reported, though recent observations have been very limited.

We expect the likelihood of triggering avalanches to rise due to the recent snow and wind.

Snowpack Summary

Certain parts of the region may have received up to 25 cm of snow over the last two days, while other areas saw only 10 to 15 cm. These lower snowfall areas may only experience moderate avalanche danger.

The new snow may cover a thin sun crust on south and westerly slopes, and otherwise add to the 10 to 20 cm of older storm snow elsewhere.

We expect reactive new wind slabs on leeward slopes brought on by the new snow and wind.

A noticeable persistent weak layer is buried 40 to 80 cm. This layer is made of weak facets overlying a crust. With additional new snow and wind-loading, this layer may become reactive.

The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled and bonded.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with 1 to 10 cm of snow, possible rain below 1300 m. Highest precipitation amounts are for the Kispoix region. 40 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. 40 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 50 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.