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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 16th, 2024–Dec 17th, 2024

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Northwest Inland, Boundary, Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, Howson, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, North Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Conditions are generally safe, but keep in mind small, isolated avalanches are still possible with low hazard.

Continue to assess your route carefully and follow safe travel practices.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported. Last Friday and Thursday, north of Stewart, several explosive and rider-triggered wind slab avalanches occurred up to size 1.5.

Wind slabs like these are becoming less likely to trigger, but may remain sensitive to human triggers in isolated areas, particularly where they overlay surface hoar.

Snowpack Summary

On the surface, around 15 to 30 cm of snow has combined over the last two storms. At higher elevations, this snow is likely heavily wind-affected and rests on a thick rain crust. In some areas around Terrace and Stewart, it may also be overlying weak surface hoar or facets.

Recent strong winds have varied in direction, so wind slabs may be present on all aspects. These slabs should bond quickly, but may be more reactive where they overlie the weak surface hoar and facets.

The mid and lower snowpack are not concerning at this time, and are made up of various hard layers, or moist snow at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mostly Clear. 30 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C

Thursday

Cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.

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.