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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 17th, 2024–Jan 18th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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 Coastal, Boundary, Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw.

Strong outflow winds continue to build wind slabs, many into the lower alpine and treeline elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, numerous wind slab and loose dry avalanches were reported up to size 2. Many occurring naturally and some rider triggered.

Snowpack Summary

Strong outflowing winds from the north east continue building wind slabs in alpine and down into treeline. Many exposed areas scoured to previous firm surfaces. These new wind slabs have formed over previous old wind slabs or old faceted layer.

In sheltered areas up to 40 cm of recent snow overlies a layer of buried surface hoar or a crust below 1700 m.

The rest of the snowpack is well settled.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Clear. No new snow expected, east alpine winds 50 km/h, treeline temperature -16° C.

Thursday

Increasing cloud throughout the day, no new snow expected, east alpine winds 20- 40 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy, up to 10 cm of snow Friday night, southerly alpine winds up to 20km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy, up to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds up to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Keep your guard up at lower elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

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.