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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 15th, 2023–Dec 16th, 2023
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Boundary, East Stikine, Howson, Kitimat, Nass, Ningunsaw, Northwest Coastal, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, West Stikine.

Recent snow, wind, and buried weak layers make a complex recipe for avalanche hazard.

Fall back on conservative decision making!

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A size 1.5 storm slab avalanche was triggered by a skier on Thursday near Terrace. This avalanche failed on buried surface hoar, 30 cm deep from a feature near ridge crest.

On Wednesday, a large avalanche cycle occurred. Natural and explosive triggered avalanches avalanches, up to size 3, were reported throughout the region. These avalanches mostly occurred on lee slopes or lee features. One of these avalanches was reported to have failed on buried surface hoar, 50 cm deep.

Snowpack Summary

Approximately 20 to 45 cm of recent snow has been redistributed by strong south and southwesterly alpine winds. Recent snow may have buried a layer of weak, feathery surface hoar crystals. Another layer of buried surface hoar may exist deeper in the snowpack, roughly 50 to 90 cm below the surface.

The remaining mid and lower snowpack contains several crusts from early in the season that are generally well-bonded to the surrounding snowpack.

Currently, the height of snow is highly variable and decreases significantly at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm snow, westerly ridge top winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperatures -5°C.

Saturday

Mostly clear with a trace of new snow, northwest ridge top winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -9°C. 

Sunday

Cloudy with a trace of new snow, southwest ridgetop winds 60 to 90 km/h, treeline temperature -6°C.

Monday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm, southerly ridge top winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -6°C. 

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs have likely formed on slopes lee to southwest winds, and lee features like ridges and gullies. Wind slabs may be more reactive where they overlie buried weak layers, such as surface hoar, now buried 30 to 100 cm deep.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3