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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 3rd, 2023–Dec 4th, 2023

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

Regions

Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Howson.

Avalanche danger will increase with rising freezing levels, strong winds, and heavy precipitation. Watch for changing conditions and avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Near Shames, a size 1 human-triggered slab was reported with the recent storm snow at 1500 m.

Reactivity is expected to increase with new snow, wind and rising temperatures on Monday. Head out with a conservative mindset and look for signs of instability as you travel through terrain.

If you do go into the backcountry, consider submitting a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

The region received up to 25-40 cm over the weekend. In the alpine, strong southerly winds have redistributed this new snow. A widespread crust, that varies in thickness and strength, is now found down 35 to 80 cm. The mid and lower snowpack appears to be well-bonded, but field observations have been limited early in the season.

The height of snow at treeline is roughly 100-150 cm, and decreases drastically at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

A large and impactful weather system will move onto the north coast, bringing heavy precipitation and windy conditions. Freezing levels are expected to rise to 1000-1500 m.

Sunday night

10-15 cm of snow/rain. Strong southwesterly wind gusting 70 km/h. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing levels rising to 1000 m.

Monday

Heavy snow/rain; 15-20 cm during the day with an additional 10-20 cm overnight. Southwesterly ridgetop winds gusting 80 km/h. Treeline temperatures reach 0 °C as the freezing level rises to 1500 m by afternoon.

Tuesday

Precipitations continue with 15-20 cm of snow /rain. Southerly ridgetop winds gusting 90 km/h. Treeline temperatures near -2 °C. Freezing levels return to 1000 m.

Wednesday

Light precipitations, 5-10 cm of snow/ rain. Moderate ridgetop winds up to 45 km/h. Treeline temperatures near -2 °C. Freezing levels steady at 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • As the storm slab problem gets trickier, the easy solution is to choose more conservative terrain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.