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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 18th, 2024–Jan 19th, 2024

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Boundary, Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, Howson, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw.

Alpine winds have reached 70 km/h in the south part of the forecast region and almost 80 km/h in the north. Stick to the trees for safer riding and better snow.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, numerous natural wind slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported. Many initiating below ridgetop as a result of strong winds depositing snow load lower onto slopes.

Snowpack Summary

Strong winds with shifting directions are building wind slabs in alpine and down into treeline. Many exposed areas scoured to previous firm surfaces. These new wind slabs have formed over previous old wind slabs or an old faceted layer.

In sheltered areas up to 40 cm of recent snow overlies a layer of buried surface hoar or a crust below 1700 m.

The rest of the snowpack is well settled.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy, trace of new snow expected, southeast alpine winds 50 km/h easing to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °C.

Friday

Cloudy, snow beginning in the evening, southeast alpine winds up to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy, up to 10 cm of snow overnight and another 3- 5 cm during the day, southwest alpine winds up to 35 km/h, treeline temperature -10 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy, trace of snow overnight and up to 5 cm during the day, southwest alpine winds up to 35 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Keep your guard up at lower elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

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.