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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 10th, 2023–Jan 11th, 2023

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

Regions

Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Howson.

Keep your guard up around steep, wind exposed terrain. Recent observations have highlighted slab formation in mid-slope features too, not just at ridgecrests.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A recent (12-24hr) natural wind slab release was observed to the northwest of Rosswood on Monday. This occurred on a steep, unsupported alpine feature at 1600 m and triggered a secondary, larger slide on the slope below it.

A few more size 2 wind slab avalanches and small dry loose avalanches were observed in steep terrain over the weekend. Explosive control produced a few size two avalanches on buried facet layers, but mostly indicated this layer has become unreactive to human triggering.

Snowpack Summary

Recent strong southerly wind formed wind slabs in lee terrain features near ridges while settled storm snow exists in sheltered terrain, and moist snow or a hard crust is found below around 800 m and on solar aspects. Light flurries and and winds aren't expected to do much to change these conditions on Wednesday.

Weak layers that were reactive over the Christmas and New Year's period have shown signs of bonding and gaining strength. These include a surface hoar layer buried on Dec 28 found 40 to 60 cm deep and a facet layer buried on Dec 23 found 60 to 100 cm deep.

Weather Summary

Tuesday night

Cloudy with scattered flurries and a trace of new snow. Moderate southwast winds.

Wednesday

Cloudy with continuing light flurries fininshing with up to 5 cm of new snow by noon, then clearing. Moderate southeast winds. Treeline high temperatures around -2 °C.

Thursday

Becoming cloudy wth scattered flurries bringing 5 to 10 cm of snow, continuing overnight. Moderate to strong south winds. Treeline high temperatures around -4 °C.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with continuing scattered flurries and a further trace of new snow. Light east winds. Treeline high temperatures approaching 0°C with coastal areas under a temperature inversion.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Exercise caution on steep, unsupported slopes.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.

Problems

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.