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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 29th, 2025–Jan 30th, 2025

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Northwest Inland, Boundary, Stewart, Kispiox, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw.

Conditions will remain dangerous after the storm. The new snow needs time to strengthen.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Wednesday's storm likely caused a natural avalanche cycle, with preliminary reports finding storm slabs were reactive to explosives.

During the warm weather on Sunday, a few large to very large (size 2 to 3) persistent slab avalanches occurred on southeast and northeast aspects. We are uncertain how these slabs responded to the latest storm.

Snowpack Summary

30 to 50 cm of snow fell on Wednesday, with southwest wind depositing more in lee areas. A layer of surface hoar is buried 50 to 90 cm deep, observed on all aspects and elevations. Buried weak layers from December, 150 to 250 cm deep, include crusts, facets, and/or surface hoar, and continue to produce large avalanches.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Clearing skies with 2 to 4 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of snow. 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud. 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low angle terrain with no overhead hazard.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.