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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 2nd, 2024–Feb 3rd, 2024

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

Regions

Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Howson, Microwave-Sinclair, North Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Avalanche danger will decrease as temperatures cool but wind slabs may remain triggerable in the alpine.

Be sure to verify conditions by making observations as you travel.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Very large storm slab and wet slab avalanches size 2.5-3 were observed during the wet, stormy period earlier this week. On Thursday, smaller loose wet activity was observed out of steep terrain at treeline. These types of avalanches are becoming increasingly unlikely as temperatures cool.

On Friday, reports of avalanche activity were limited to natural wind slabs size 1-1.5 out of north to east east aspects in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

A moist upper snowpack up to 2000 m, is refreezing into a crust as temperatures cool. In the alpine, the refreeze may be slowed by overlying dry snow; as little as 10 cm near Smithers and and much as 50 cm near the coast. Below 1000 m, the fully rain-soaked snowpack is starting to refreeze.

A variety of previously concerning weak layers buried in January can be found 30 - 80 cm deep. These layers appear to be strengthening and are expected to continue to improve under the current cooling trend.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Clear. Northwest ridgetop wind 40-50 km/h. Treeline low around -12 °C. Freezing level drops to valley bottom.

Saturday

Mostly sunny. Northwest ridgetop wind 15-30 km/h. Treeline temperature around -6 °C.

Sunday

Sunny. Northeast ridgetop wind <20 km/h. Treeline temperature around -5 °C.

Monday

Mostly sunny. Southeast ridgetop wind 40-50 km/h. Treeline temperature around -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

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.