Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 28th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
If you see more than 20 cm of new snow, treat the danger as one level higher.
Storms slabs are more likely with higher snowfall amounts.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A rider triggered a large (size 2.5) slab avalanche on a southeast alpine slope on Sunday. The slab ranged from 20 to 100 cm deep with wind loading variability. The slab may have released on the persistent weak layer described in the Snowpack Summary. See this MIN for more information.
Snowpack Summary
It's uncertain how much snow will make it inland to the Smithers area. New snow will be coming with strong wind, which will leave deep deposits in lee slopes.
Under the new snow, recent warm temperatures are expected to have created a crust on all aspects, except perhaps treeline and above on northerly slopes.
A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December is buried roughly 50 to 100 cm deep.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with 10 cm of snow. 40 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud with 1 to 2 cm of snow. 15 km/h west then east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with 5 cm of snow. 10 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Don't let storm day fever lure you into consequential terrain.
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
- Start with conservative terrain and watch for signs of instability.
Problems
Storm Slabs
New snow may form a storm slab. Watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks,
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A buried weak layer from early December may produce avalanches with the weight of the new snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 29th, 2025 4:00PM
