Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Dec 27 – 28, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Choose terrain that is sheltered from the wind for the best snow conditions, and lower avalanche danger. Due to shifting winds, human-triggerable wind slabs may be found on most aspects.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Continuing snow and strong southeast winds will keep building small wind slabs in leeward terrain at treeline and above.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Buried surface hoar can be found up to 50 cm below the snow surface. It is reported to be deeper and more reactive in the western part of the forecast area.

Snowpack Summary

Light snowfall continues to refresh the snow surface. Generally strong southerly winds building wind slabs in exposed leeward terrain. South facing slopes (windward), have likely been scoured by the strong winds. At lower elevations a frozen crust may be found in the upper snowpack.

Two different surface hoar layers have been reported in the upper snowpack (expected to be up to 50 cm deep) and appear to be most prominent at treeline and below.

Snowpack depths at treeline are 50 to 100 cm.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, near Smithers, a small (size 1) human triggered windslab avalanche was reported below a ridgetop in northeast facing, treeline terrain.

This MIN post paints a great picture of conditions at The Onion on Sunday.

If you head into the backcountry please consider submitting your observations to the MIN (Mountain Information Network).

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow expected. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind switching to southeast by the morning. Freezing level falls to valley bottom with treeline low around -7 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 5 cm of snow expected. Strong southeast wind. Freezing level rising to 500 m through the day. Treeline high around -2 °C.

Thursday

Partly cloudy, Trace of snow expected. Strong south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to around 1500 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy, Trace of snow expected. Strong southeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 1500 m. Possible above freezing layer.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.

Regions covered