Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 3rd, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
bchristie,
Avalanche Canada
Be alert as you transition into wind-affected elevations, and stay off of recently wind loaded slopes until they've had a chance to stabilize.
Natural avalanches are less likely, but riders can still trigger windslabs in lee and crossloaded features.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Unsettled but mild weather continues for the forecast period. Freezing level remains at valley bottom.
Friday Night: Overcast. 2-5 cm snow expected. Moderate to strong southwest wind. Alpine temperature around -15 C.
Saturday: Partly Cloudy. Light snow tapering off in the morning. Light southwest wind. Alpine temperature around -16 C.
Sunday: Partly Cloudy. No new snow expected. Moderate northwest wind. Cooling through the day, alpine low around -15 C.
Monday: Clear morning, mostly cloudy by the afternoon. No new snow expected. Light winds becoming moderate southwest by the afternoon. Alpine temperatures above -10 C with possible temperature inversion.
Avalanche Summary
No new reports of avalanche activity from yesterday.
In the far south of the region, there is evidence of natural avalanches that occurred during the last storm up to size 2.5. Expect to see more observations from the storm period as people get visibility of terrain.
Reports in the region remain limited. A lack of information may not actually mean there is an lack of avalanche activity.
Snowpack Summary
Around 40 cm of recent snow has likely been redistributed by moderate to strong southwest winds in the alpine, forming wind slabs in lee terrain features. Below 1400 m, expect to find a surface or near surface crust over a moist upper snowpack.
This submission to the Mountain Information Network (MIN) paints a fantastic picture of recent conditions near Smithers, before the most recent storm. The surface hoar layer found in their snowpack test has not been reported elswhere, but there has been very little other information in this region.
If you have been getting out in the backcountry, we'd love to see you submit a MIN report:)
The mid snowpack is expected to be mostly settling, strong, rounded crystals.
The lower snowpack consists mostly of frozen crusts.
Treeline snow depths are estimated to be 100-150 cm.
Terrain and Travel
- Avoid lee and cross loaded slopes in the alpine.
- A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent snow has likely been redistributed by strong southwest winds in the alpine, forming wind slabs in lee terrain features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 4th, 2021 4:00PM
