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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 8th, 2023–Jan 9th, 2023

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

Regions

Northwest Inland, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, Ningunsaw, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

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

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

We didn't receive any reports of avalanche activity on Saturday. On Friday, a small wind slab was observed on a northwest aspect in the alpine in the north of the region.

About a week ago there were several reports of larger (size 2 to 3) naturally-triggered avalanches at all elevations releasing on the 30 to 60 cm deep facet layer described in the Snowpack Summary. Triggering an avalanche on this weak layer is still possible 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. We are uncertain about the layer's spatial distribution, but observations suggest it is fairly widespread.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with trace precipitation, 10 to 20 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with no precipitation, 10 to 20 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 30 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperature -6 °C,

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with intermittent snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 20 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.