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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 22nd, 2024–Dec 23rd, 2024

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, Howson, Microwave-Sinclair.

Continually assess conditions as you move through terrain and be prepared to dial back objectives.

Whumphing, shooting cracks and avalanches are indicators of unstable conditions.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

this helpful MIN report from the Shames area describes a few natural and skier triggered slab avalanches up to size 2. These were on southwest slopes at treeline. The weak layers from earlier in December, described in the snowpack summary, are the suspected weak layers for these avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

By mid day on the 22nd up to 30 cm of new snow may have fallen. This new snow will be accompanied by strong south winds forming deeper deposits on northerly aspects. This new snow will fall on an already heavily wind affected upper pack.

Two weak layers exist in the top meter of the snowpack from earlier in December. A layer of facets and/or surface hoar down 20 to 40 cm and a crust down 40 to 80 cm.

Treeline snow depth range from 200-280 cm. The lower snowpack has no layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 30 cm of snow. 30 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 1300 m.

Monday

Cloudy with up to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 10 to 30 cm of snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Don't let storm day fever lure you into consequential terrain.
  • 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.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

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.