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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 11th, 2024–Apr 12th, 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.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Northwest Inland, Nass, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, North Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Assess for wind slabs in steep alpine terrain before committing yourself.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

We didn't receive any reports of avalanche activity on Thursday. Wind slab avalanches were observed on steep north and east-facing alpine slopes on Wednesday in the Hankin area. Riders could trigger similar avalanches going forward until they have enough time to bond to the snowpack.

Snowpack Summary

Around 20 cm of recent snow and southwest wind may have formed wind slabs in lee terrain features in the alpine. These slabs may need a few days to bond to the snowpack.

A weak layer of faceted grains and/or surface hoar crystals may be found around 40 to 60 cm deep, particularly on northerly alpine slopes. The weak layer may be close to a hard melt-freeze crust from early April.

A few weak layers deeper in the snowpack in northerly alpine terrain are gaining strength. It remains unlikely to trigger them, but it is possible a large load such as a cornice fall could.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy with 1 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 1 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with 1 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.