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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 18th, 2024–Dec 19th, 2024

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

Regions

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

Strong winds and flurries will build fresh slabs. Expect to find the deepest and most reactive deposits around lee features and open bowls.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, several small (size 1 to 1.5) wind slabs occurred throughout the region, both natural and skier-triggered avalanches were reported. See this Monday MIN

Snowpack Summary

15 to 30 cm of wind-affected snow rests on a thick rain crust. In some areas surface hoar and/or facets are buried below this surface snow, 10 to 40 cm deep.

Recent and forecast strong winds have varied in direction, so wind slabs may be present on all aspects. These slabs should bond quickly, but may be more reactive where they overlie the weak surface hoar and facets.

The mid and lower snowpack have no layers of concern at this time.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Cloudy with incoming flurries, 5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C

Thursday

Cloudy with flurries, 10 to 20 cm of snow. Highest precipitation forecast from Kemano to Shames. 40 to 60 gusting to 80 km/h south-southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy. 30 to 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with flurries, 5 cm. 40 to 60 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °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.
  • Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.

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.