Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 30th, 2022–Dec 31st, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Northwest Inland, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Use extra caution at treeline and below where persistent weak layers have been most reactive. Be aware that wind slabs could step down to deeper layers.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Over the past few days several reports of natural avalanches up to size 2.5 that likely released in the facet layer produced during the recent period of arctic air. These avalanches have occred at all elevations and on a variety of aspects.

If you are headed out into the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

Around 30 to 50cm of recent snow has been redistributed into wind slab in exposed terrain at treeline and above. In non-wind effected terrain this recent snow sits on a layer of facets formed during the period of arctic air. Below treeline a thin crust can likely be found at or near the surface.

A surface hoar and facet layer from early December, while spotty, can still be found down around 40 to 60cm.

In General snowpack depths are highly variable throughout the region.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light southerly winds and a low of -8 at 1500m.

Saturday

Cloudy with light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light westerly winds and a high of -4 at 1500m.

Sunday

Cloudy with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light southerly winds and a high of -5 at 1500m.

Monday

Cloudy with trace amounts of new snow expected. Moderate to strong south winds and a high of -7 at 1500m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.