Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Boundary, Howson, Kitimat, Microwave-Sinclair, Nass, Northwest Coastal, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart.
Snow is piling up and observations are limited. Make observations of the reactivity of new snow as you travel and expect triggerable slabs on steep and especially wind-loaded features.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
Steady reports of natural wind slab avalanches in the north of the region have been coming in through the early part of the week. These avalanches were up to size 3 and focused around northerly aspects in the alpine. A larger natural cycle is suspected in surrounding, unobserved terrain.
No new avalanches were reported in the south of the region, where observations have been limited.
Snowpack Summary
Another 10 - 30 cm of new snow should accumulate in the region by end of day Thursday, adding to 5 - 20 cm covering the previously heavily wind affected upper snowpack in the alpine and at treeline.
Two weak layers exist in the top meter of the snowpack. A layer of facets and/or surface hoar down 20 to 40 cm and the early December crust down 40 to 80 cm.
Treeline snow depth range from 200-280 cm. The lower snowpack has no layers of concern.
Weather Summary
Wednesday night
Cloudy with continuing snowfall bringing 5 to 25 cm of new snow. 60 to 70 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 800 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries and up to 5 cm of new snow. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 1000 m.
Friday
Cloudy with flurries bringing a trace to 10 cm of new snow. 50 to 60 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 600 m with treeline high temperatures around -2 °C.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Freezing level to surface and treeline high temperatures around -6 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Steady snowfall and elevated winds have been forming fresh storm and wind slabs. By Thursday, wind loaded areas should be the most suspect.
Surface avalanches may have potential to step down to weak layers in the top metre of the snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5