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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 14th, 2019–Dec 15th, 2019

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

Another day with a stable weather pattern. Cooler, drier conditions will give way to a series of frontal systems impacting the region early in the week.

Confidence

No Rating - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY: Cloudy with clear breaks, light wind from the northwest, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind from the west, alpine high temperatures around -10 C.

MONDAY: Mainly cloudy with flurries, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine high temperatures around -9 C.

TUESDAY: Flurries, moderate southwest wind, alpine high temperatures around -7 C.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no recent reports of avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of fresh snow may now sit on a concerning layer of surface hoar that has formed in areas sheltered from the wind (see photos in this MIN report). This is likely not enough snow to form a slab above, except in places where there are deeper wind deposits. Reports suggest this layer can be found on all aspects up into treeline. In the alpine, the new snow has buried hard wind slabs and/or sun crusts on south-facing terrain. 

Snowpack depths are 50-100 cm in alpine areas around Smithers, with depths diminishing rapidly below 1500 m. The relatively thin snowpack has likely caused weak faceted snow to form near the ground.

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.