Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 3rd, 2023–Jan 4th, 2023
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Babine, Hudson Bay, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, Northwest Inland, Telkwa.

A persistent weak layer is present at all elevations and could produce large destructive avalanches if triggered. Careful terrain choices are recommended given the uncertainity about this problem.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

In the past few days, we received several reports of previous natural avalanches up to size 2.5. These avalanches released on a 30 to 60 cm deep facet layer and occurred at all elevations and on a variety of aspects. Check out this MIN report from our field team on Friday for some photos and a good summary of this activity.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snowfall has been wind-affected in exposed terrain. In wind-sheltered terrain, this recent snow sits on a layer of facets and surface hoar that formed during the mid-December Arctic outbreak. This layer is 30 to 60 cm deep and recent avalanche activity and snowpack tests suggest human-triggering is possible. Below treeline, a thin crust can likely be found at or near the surface.

Weather Summary

Tuesday night

Cloudy, no precipitation, 30 km/h wind from the southeast, treeline temperatures drop to -8 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with sunny periods in the afternoon, no precipitation, 20 km/h wind from the southeast, treeline temperatures around -6 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud, no precipitation, 30 to 50 km/h wind from the southeast, treeline temperatures around -5 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with afternoon flurries brining up to 5 cm of snow, 40 to 60 km/h wind from the south, treeline temperatures warm to -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious near rock outcroppings, on steep convexities and anywhere the snowpack feels thinner than average.
  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
  • Avoid making assumptions about this layer based on the presence of aggressive tracks on adjacent slopes

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

A layer of facets that formed during the period of arctic air is found down 30 to 60 cm. This layer produced natural avalanches last week, and recent snowpack observations suggest it's still reactive to human triggering. It is likely most reactive at treeline, where surface hoar could also exist as part of this layer.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5