Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 12th, 2016 4:05PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Wind slabs remain the primary concern. Avoid likely trigger spots such as steep and rocky areas with a snowpack that goes from thin to thick.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Monday: Sunny / Light easterly winds / High of -19 C.Tuesday: Sunny / Light northeasterly winds / High of -19 C. Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light northeasterly winds / High of -18 C.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported in this region.

Snowpack Summary

Clear skies and strong outflow winds have created a variety of snow surfaces including scouring and hard wind slabs in exposed areas and surface hoar formation in sheltered areas. Recent winds have blown from many directions, most recently from the east. As a result, expect wind slabs to exist on a wide variety of exposed slopes. According to reports near Smithers, there is a layer of surface hoar down 40-50 cm. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is now buried 50-60 cm deep. Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region, but reports suggest the average snowpack depth is 50-90 cm at treeline and 120 cm or greater in the alpine.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recently formed wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers for several days after the winds die down. Wind slabs may be present on many aspects and elevations due to very strong and highly variable wind directions.

Watch your transition into wind affected terrain. Some areas may have been reverse loaded by winds.Travel of ridges or ribs to avoid wind affected terrain.Avoid slopes that sounds hollow or drum-like.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 13th, 2016 2:00PM