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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 29th, 2019–Nov 30th, 2019

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

Northwest Inland.

Clear and cold conditions continue into the weekend. It is still possible to trigger avalanches where the wind has formed slabs at higher elevations.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY Night: Mainly clear, light wind from the east, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.

SATURDAY: Sunny, light wind, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.

SUNDAY: Increasing cloud throughout the day, light wind from the west, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.

MONDAY: Flurries, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine high temperature around -5 C.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches have been reported in the region. The main concern this week is areas where wind may have blown surface snow into hard wind slabs. Concern is reduced in areas where the snow depths have not yet reach the threshold for avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

Cold windy conditions have redistributed whatever new snow fell last weekend. Observations in the region are limited, but we have indications that in areas where early season snowpack existed the new snow buried a thick crust. A MIN report from the Ashman area (west of Smithers) suggests the new snow bonded well to the crust, but that may not be the case elsewhere in the region. Given the lack of recent snowpack observations, we suggest carefully monitoring the bond of the new snow to this crust. Total snow depths are 50-100 cm in alpine areas around Smithers, with depths diminishing rapidly below 1500 m.

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.