Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche hazard will increase throughout the day as storm snow accumulates. Dail back your terrain choices if you are finding +30 cm of storm snow.
Happy holidays, enjoy the fresh snow!
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday, a size 1, skier accidental storm slab avalanche was reported near Terrace. This was on a northwesterly feature at treeline.
Operators in the region reported evidence of a natural storm slab avalanche cycle from the past 48 hours. Avalanches averaged size 1.5 - 2.
If you head into the backcountry please consider submitting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Storm snow accumulates throughout the day over wind affected surfaces in exposed areas and 50 to 70 cm of settling snow in sheltered areas.
Two buried layers of surface hoar are widespread in the mid snowpack, buried 50-100 cm, and 90-130 cm deep.
The remaining mid and lower snowpack contains several crusts from early in the season that are generally well-bonded to the surrounding snowpack. Snow depths are highly variable depending on elevation, and decrease rapidly below treeline.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with isolated flurries, 1-3 cm of snow. Southerly winds ease slightly, 40-60 km/h. Freezing levels remain around 700 m, and treeline temperatures around -5 °C.
Monday
Cloudy with flurries, widespread 10-20 cm for the region, up to 40 cm in the Kitimat area. Southerly winds 60-100 km/h. Freezing levels rise towards 1500 m on the immediate coast, 500m in the Terrace area. Treeline temperatures approach -2°C.
Overnight flurries continue bringing another 10 to 20 cm of snow expected.
Tuesday
Cloudy with flurries, 5- 10 cm of snow. Southwest winds, 40-70 km/h. Freezing levels around 1000 m, treeline temperatures around -3°C.
Wednesday
Mainly cloudy with flurries, 5- 10 cm of snow. Southeast winds, 60-80 km/h. Freezing levels around 800 m, treeline temperatures around -3°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for signs of slab formation throughout the day.
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Approach steep open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, buried surface hoar may exist.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slab size and sensitivity will increase through the day as the wind continues and snow accumulates. Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain where snow is likely deeper and more cohesive.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Two weak layers of surface hoar continue to cause operators in the area to be concerned. As storm snow continues to build it will increase the load above these weak layers bringing them closer to the threshold.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3