Regions
Northwest Inland.
Confidence
Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday
Weather Forecast
Overnight snowfall is expected to accumulate up to about 15-20 cm by Saturday morning. The new snow should be combined with light to moderate southerly winds and alpine temperatures around -14.0. The wind is expected to increase during the day on Saturday and become gusty up to about 60km/hr from the southwest. Another 5-10 cm is expected during the day on Saturday. Sunday is forecast to be unsettled with flurries and possibly some sunny breaks. Flurries are expected again on Monday, possibly increasing to moderate snowfall in the afternoon. The freezing level is forecast to remain at valley bottoms during this forecast period.
Avalanche Summary
No new reports of avalanches observed.
Snowpack Summary
New snow beginning to develop, about 3-5 cm by noon on Friday. The snowpack depth in the Smithers-Hankin area is about 250-275 cm at the upper extent of the treeline elevation band. Some surface facetting has been observed above treeline, and some surface hoar observed below treeline. Very strong northeast outflow winds have scoured north and east aspects and reduced previous cornice growth. The snow has been transported into stiff windslabs on south through west aspects. These windslabs should be stiff enough in most areas that the forecast southerly winds will not be able to re-distribute the snow. The mid-december crust has been observed to have bonded to the mid-pack in most areas, but may be found to have become facetted in areas with a shallow snowpack. The mid-pack is considered to be strong and well settled in most areas. No basal weak layers of concern have been reported.
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.
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.