Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 30th, 2023–Dec 31st, 2023

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

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.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Boundary, Stewart, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw.

Recent storm snow at upper elevations will take some time to settle and bond as the temperature gradually cools through the day Saturday.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday there were numerous reports of a naturally triggered size 2-3 wind and storm slabs in alpine terrain on northwest through northeast aspects. There were also numerous reports of low elevation wet loose and wet slab avalanches both naturally and explosives triggered size 1-2.

There were also several reports of glide slabs releasing naturally size 1-2.

Snowpack Summary

Below 1400 m the snow surface has either frozen into crust or is wet.

Recent snowfall amounts across the region range from 30 - 50 cm at upper elevations. This snow has been redistributed by southeast through southwest wind likely forming thick wind slabs in lee terrain.

A layer of facets buried at the end of November can be found near the ground.

The snowpack depth varies between 200 and 300 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with light rain or snow, accumulation 2-4 cm above 1100 m, southeast wind 20 - 40 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C, freezing level 900 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy, south west wind 15-25 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C, freezing level dropping to valley bottom.

Monday

Mainly cloudy, southeast wind 10-20 km/h, treeline temperature -7 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with flurries, southeast wind 15-30 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.