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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 21st, 2024–Dec 22nd, 2024

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, Howson, Microwave-Sinclair.

Reactive wind slabs exist on all aspects at treeline and above.

Whumpfing, shooting cracks and avalanches are indicators of unstable conditions.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Some helpful MIN reports from the Shames area describe numerous natural and skier triggered slab avalanches up to size 2. These were on southwest slopes at treeline. The early December crust buried 20 to 50 cm down is a suspect weak interface.

Reactive wind slabs may persist through Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

Recent strong winds have varied in direction, building reactive wind slabs on all aspects at upper elevations. In some areas surface hoar and/or facets are buried 10 to 20 cm below the surface snow. 30 to 50 cm of wind-affected snow rests on a thick rain crust. Reports from the Shames area have noted cracking and whumpfing in the upper snowpack which indicates that they layers require further investigation.

Treeline snow depth range from 200-280 cm. The lower snowpack has no layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Cloudy, with flurries 5 to 10 cm. 25 to 55 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing levels 1000 m.

Sunday

Snow 5 to 15 cm. 35 to 70 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing levels 700 m.

Monday

Snow 5 to 10 cm. 15 gusting to 65 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Tuesday

Snow 10 to 20 cm. 10 gusting to 80 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger 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.