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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 9th, 2023–Jan 10th, 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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Microwave-Sinclair, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Carefully assess for wind slabs and buried weak layers before committing to high-consequence terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Recent avalanche observations are limited to a few small dry loose avalanches. Over a week ago, there were several large (size 2 to 3) avalanches releasing on a 30 to 60 cm deep facet layer. While this layer still exists in the snowpack, triggering an avalanche on it is unlikely under the current conditions.

Snowpack Summary

Recent strong southerly wind formed wind slabs in lee terrain features near ridges. Terrain sheltered from the wind has about 10 cm of soft snow. This snow sits above a layer of surface hoar crystals. A weak layer of facets that formed during the arctic outbreak in December is buried 30 to 60 cm deep. Observations suggest it is fairly widespread, but not reactive to triggering under the current conditions.

Weather Summary

Monday night

Cloudy with trace precipitation, 30 to 40 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperature -10 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with isolated flurries and trace accumulations of snow, 20 to 30 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperature -6 °C,

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries and trace accumulations of snow, 20 to 30 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with scattered flurries and 1 to 3 cm of snow, 30 to 50 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use caution when approaching steep and rocky terrian.
  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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.