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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 2nd, 2024–Dec 3rd, 2024

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Boundary, Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart.

Avoid being in or under avalanche terrain during periods of rapid loading from new snow, wind or rain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On the weekend, multiple very large avalanches were reported near Terrace. We haven't had any new observations since then, likely due to poor visibility in the stormy weather. But we suspect an ongoing natural avalanche cycle to continue through the storm into Tuesday.

Please consider submitting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

60 to 100 cm of recent snow will become moist and heavy Tuesday as the rain line climbs up the mountain. Recent snow sits over small facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered areas and firm surfaces in exposed terrain.

A crust from early November can be found between 1 and 2 m deep. Below this prominent crust are several other crust layers from October.

 

Weather Summary

A series of frontal systems from the south bring warm, moist air to the region. This means generally high freezing levels and wet precipitation. Between Tuesday and Thursday, expect freezing levels (and the rain/snow line) to fluctuate rapidly and vary from north to south within the region.

Monday night

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow above ~1500 m, mixed precip or rain below. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 15 to 25 cm of snow above ~2200 m, moderate rain below. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising from 1600 to 2500 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of new snow above 1800 m, light to moderate rain below. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising form 2000 to around 2300 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of new snow above 1500 m, light to moderate rain below. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 1700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.
  • Keep in mind that the high density of wet avalanches can make them destructive.

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.