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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 16th, 2025–Jan 17th, 2025
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Babine, Hudson Bay, Kispiox, North Bulkley, Northwest Inland, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for reactive wind slabs, especially in the alpine.

The new load may be the tipping point for deeper instabilities and bigger avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, several (size 2 to 2.5) natural wind slabs were reported. Changing winds and new snow may build fresh and reactive wind slabs on many aspects Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of snow fell by Thursday. Strong southwest winds will likely redistribute the storm snow onto leeward slopes building thicker slabs on lee slopes. The new snow may have a poor bond to south-facing slopes and areas below 1200–1300 m where it sits on a crust.

A persistent weak layer composed of facets overlying a crust is buried 40 to 100 cm deep and may be reactive with the new load from snow and wind.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy with light flurries. 30 to 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C. Freezing level drops to the valley bottom.

Friday

Sunny. 30 gusting to 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Saturday

Sunny with some cloud. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud. 25 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs. Changing winds may leave stiffer and deeper deposits of snow on many aspects. They may be primed for human triggering in the alpine.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

A widespread crust with weak facets overtop is buried 40-100 cm deep. While this layer exists on all aspects, it's most likely to be triggered by a heavy load on wind-loaded slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3