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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 10th, 2022–Dec 11th, 2022

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 Coastal, Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, Howson, Ningunsaw.

Carefully assess the bond between recent snow and the underlying surface. Variable winds have likely formed wind slab on all aspects. These slabs could be larger and more reactive at treeline where they might sit over surface hoar.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

On Friday a few small natural cornice falls and a few wind slab avalanches up to size 2 were observed on lee features in the region.

Numerous natural storm slabs and loose dry avalanches, to size 2, were reported Thursday at all elevations. Avalanches are suspected to have released on the recently buried surface hoar layer.

If you head out in the backcountry please support your community by submitting a MIN report!

Snowpack Summary

30 to 50cm of storm snow has been redistributed into wind slabs on all aspects by variable winds. This recent snow overlies a layer of surface hoar, size 5-10 mm, and facets. Surface hoar overlies wind-hammered surfaces including scoured easterly slopes and hard slabs on west and south slopes.

A layer that formed in mid-November can be found down 70 to 100 cm deep at treeline and above. This layer consists of a crust below 1200 m and a layer of surface hoar above this elevation. This layer has not shown recent signs of instability.

The depth of the snowpack at treeline varies widely from 100 to 200 cm and tapers rapidly below treeline. Many early-season hazards such as rocks, stumps, and open creeks exist below treeline.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Clearing throughout the night with no new snow expected. Moderate to strong outflow winds with a low of -12 at 1500m.

Sunday

Mostly sunny with cloudy periods. Strong outflow winds and temperatures around -11 at 1500m. Freezing levels valley bottom.

Monday

Mostly sunny with no new snow expected. Moderate outflow winds continue. Possible temperature inversion with temperatures reaching a high of -2 at 1500m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Temperature inversion breaking down throughout the day with a high of -4 at 1500m. Light to moderate southwest winds.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent 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.