Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 27th, 2023–Jan 28th, 2023

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

Regions

Northwest Inland, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, Ningunsaw, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Buried weak layers continue to demand careful terrain selection. Avoid high-consequence avalanche terrain and use caution traveling in wind-loaded, shallow, rocky start zones.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity has decreased significantly with the cold temperatures. However, 2 large natural avalanches were reported in the area. Occurring below treeline, toward the end of the recent warm, wet weather, both failing on weak layers near the base of the snowpack.

If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

A widespread melt-freeze crust exists on the surface at roughly 1900 m and below. This crust continues to gain strength and become supportive to travel with cold temperatures. At higher elevations, above 1900 m, surface snow has been redistributed by recent winds.

In the mid and lower snowpack, a number of buried weak layers remain a primary concern. These layers are most concerning in shallow, rocky areas at treeline and alpine elevations.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Mostly clear, with isolated flurries. Trace amounts of snow. Treeline temperatures -10 to -15 C. Moderate northeast alpine winds.

Saturday

Sunny, with no precipitation. Treeline temperatures -10 to -20 C. Light to moderate northeast alpine winds.

Sunday

Sunny, with no precipitation. Treeline temperatures -5 to -15 C. Light northwest alpine winds. Potential for strong alpine temperature inversion.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud, with isolated flurries. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C. Light to moderate northwest alpine winds. Potential for strong alpine temperature inversion.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

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.