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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 8th, 2022–Dec 9th, 2022

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

Regions

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

As strong southerly winds redistribute storm snow a more cohesive slab will build and reactivity in the weak layer will increase.

Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, cracking, and recent avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several size 1 natural storm slab avalanches were reported Thursday insteep treeline and alpine lees.

Backcountry users should expect to see evidence of a natural avalanche cycle from strong winds within the storm at higher elevations. If you head out in the backcountry please support your community by submitting a MIN report!

Snowpack Summary

15 - 20 cm of storm snow has buried 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

Thursday Night

Cloudy with scattered flurries, 5 - 10 cm accumulation. Ridge winds southwesterly 30 to 50 km/h. Temperatures are -9 at 1500 m. Freezing levels 300m.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries, 2-5 cm accumulation. Ridgetop winds will be southerly 30 - 50 km/h. Temperatures are -6 at 1500 m. Freezing levels valley bottom.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Strong outflow winds in valleys. Ridge winds easterly 20 - 40 km/h. Temperatures are -9 at 1500 m. Freezing levels valley bottom.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Strong outflow winds in valleys. Ridge winds easterly 20 to 30 km/h. Temperatures are -11 at 1500 m. Freezing levels valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.

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.