Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Regions
Northwest Inland.
The incoming storm will begin as snow and then switch to rain up to at least tree line. The next few days will be tricky to manage due to rapid changes with elevation. It will be best to stick to low-angled slopes and avoid overhead exposure.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Weather Forecast
MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, strong west winds, freezing level rising to 1300 m by the morning.TUESDAY: Cloudy with light rainfall at lower elevations and otherwise snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, strong southwest winds, alpine temperature 0 C, freezing level 1600 m.WEDNESDAY: Early-morning snowfall, accumulation 10 cm, then mix of sun and cloud, moderate to strong southwest winds, alpine temperature 0 C, freezing level 1200 m.THURSDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 15 cm, strong south winds, alpine temperature -1 C, freezing level 600 m.
Avalanche Summary
Although reports are limited, it is probable that there were avalanches during and after the weekend's storm.We often have a hard time getting reports of avalanche activity from this region, so if you see anything, please post your observations to the Mountain Information Network! (MIN). Thanks!
Snowpack Summary
The weekend's storm deposited 30-40 cm new snow with strong winds from the west. Buried under the snow in sheltered areas, you may find one or two weak layers comprising surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or facets (sugary snow). The upper layer may have been buried around December 22 and is likely 30-50 cm below the surface. The lower one was buried in early-December and is now approximately 80-120 cm below the surface. Deeper in the snowpack, there are several crusts including an early season crust with facets near the bottom of the snowpack.Three different parties have reported recent whumpfing in the Telkwa and Hankin areas, possibly on the facets near the base of the snowpack, or on one of the other weak layers. This indicates the snowpack should not be completely trusted at this time.
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.
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.