Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Nov 21st, 2024 3:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Recent wind effect has been extensive. Avalanches are most likely to fail on steep westerly through southerly wind-affected slopes near ridgetops.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A few large (size 2) wind slab avalanches were reported last week. We suspect due to recent and forecast wind, that wind slabs will remain reactive to human triggering over the next few days.
Early season reports have been extremely limited. Please consider submitting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slabs have formed on many lee slopes. Expect to find sastrugi and hard wind-scoured surfaces in all open wind-exposed areas at upper elevations.
A rain crust from early November is likely buried 30 to 50 cm deep and may be poorly bonded to overlying wind slabs.
Alpine snow depths vary across the region, but are roughly 100 cm west of Smithers and 50 cm to the east. Snowpack information for the Kispiox region north of Hazelton is extremely limited.
Weather Summary
Thursday night
Overcast. 20 km/h east wind. Treeline temperature low -12 °C.
Friday
Mostly sunny. 40 to 60 km/h east wind. Treeline temperature high -8 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with 2 to 4 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h east wind. Treeline temperature high -11 °C.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 30 to 40 km/h east wind. Treeline temperature high -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Keep in mind a buried crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent strong to extreme easterly winds have built potentially reactive wind slabs on leeward slopes. These slabs may also be poorly bonded to an underlying crust.
Aspects: South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Nov 22nd, 2024 3:00PM
