Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 29th, 2018 3:52PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

jfloyer, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

The recent storm has left many steep slopes primed for human-triggering. Give the snow a little time before considering objectives on which an avalanche would have consequences.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly dry. Temperatures starting to cool.SUNDAY: Dry with sunny breaks. Light northerly winds. Treeline temperatures around -5C.MONDAY: Light snow starting later in the day. 2-4 cm. Moderate southwesterly winds. Treeline temperatures around -6C.TUESDAY: Around 15 cm new snow. Strong southwesterly winds. Freezing level rising to around 1200 m.Gamma (1175/1540m):HN24 8cm; winds 15-25 SE

Avalanche Summary

A natural avalanche cycle was reported on Saturday up to size 3. Natural avalanche activity will diminish on Sunday but human-triggered avalanches will remain likely

Snowpack Summary

Areas around Terrace have seen as much as 60 cm new snow since the storm started Friday morning accompanied by strong westerly winds. A pre-Christmas layer of surface hoar was previously buried on or around December 22, and is now buried 50-80 cm below the surface. It is unclear how reactive this layer is, but its presence could easily increase the potential size of avalanches from the storm.Lower in the snowpack, sitting somewhere between 120-200 cm below the surface lies a weak layer from mid-December. This layer was initially a concern when snowfall first accumulated, but the strength of this layer has generally improved. The surface hoar was most prevalent and has most recently been reactive between 1100-1300 m in more northern portions of the region, something to keep in mind if you plan to travel to areas like Ningunsaw.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Substantial amounts of new snow that arrived with strong southwesterly winds have set up touchy storm and wind slabs on steep slopes.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, or cracking.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Dec 30th, 2018 2:00PM