Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 13th, 2016 4:02PM

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

Avalanche Canada jsmith, Avalanche Canada

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Northwest Inland.

Lingering wind slabs remain the primary concern and may be present on a variety of aspects.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Sunny / Light northeasterly winds / Average temperature at treeline -10 C.Thursday: Sunny / Light to moderate northeasterly winds / Average temperature at treeline -18 C.Friday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light northwesterly winds / Average temperature at treeline -15 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, wind slabs may exist on a wide variety aspects. According to reports near Smithers, there is a layer of surface hoar down 40-50 cm, though no recent activity has been reported on this layer. 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

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 14th, 2016 2:00PM

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