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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 15th, 2019–Jan 16th, 2019

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

Regions

Northwest Inland.

Avalanche danger lingers on wind-loaded slopes and on slopes that face the sun.

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Dry with clear spells. Cooling.WEDNESDAY: Dry with a mix of sun and cloud. Treeline temperatures around -8C. Light easterly winds.THURSDAY: Dry with a mix of sun and cloud. Treeline temperatures around -10C. Moderate southeasterly winds.FRIDAY: Dry with increasing cloud cover. Treeline temperatures around -12C. Light southwesterly winds.

Avalanche Summary

The weekend's avalanche activity from the Microwave area near Smithers is documented well in these two MIN posts here and here. Storm slab avalanches up to size 2 were observed on north aspect slopes. Thanks a tonne to the riders who submitted these observations.Observations from the neighbouring NW Coastal region indicate natural avalanche activity in the recent storm snow has now ended, and I suspect a similar pattern for Inland areas. Slabs will remain triggerable on sun-affected and wind-loaded slopes.

Snowpack Summary

The recent storm that ended late on Saturday produced 25 to 50 cm of new snow at higher elevations with rain falling up to 1500 m. Strong winds redistributed the storm snow at and above treeline. The snow at lower elevations is now most likely crusty.A few buried weak layers that consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or faceted (sugary) snow may exist in some sheltered areas. The upper layer is about 35-60 cm deep. The next layer is likely 65-90 cm deep. The lower one is now approximately 100-150 cm deep. The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of facets and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It may be possible for storm slab avalanches to scrub down to ground in thin snowpack areas, resulting in large avalanches.

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.