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

Dec 2nd, 2022–Dec 3rd, 2022

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

Regions

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

Continue to assess for wind slab before riding steep slopes where triggering wind slab may be possible. The best riding is likely in sheltered terrain where cold temps have likely softened the snow surface.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There were no significant avalanche observations on Thursday in the region.

On Wednesday a natural wind slab cycle to size 2.5 was observed in the northwest part of the region. These avalanches occured on northwest , west and southwest aspects at treeline and above. These avalanches are a result of ongoing outflow winds.

Snowpack Summary

Over the past few days strong outflow winds have scoured easterly slopes and created hard slab on west and south slopes while cross loading others.

A layer buried in mid November can be found down around 70 to 100cm at treeline and above. This layer consists of a crust below 1200m and a layer of surface hoar above this elevation.

The depth of the snowpack at treeline varies widely from 100-200 cm and tapers rapidly below treeline. Many early-season hazards such as rocks, stumps, and open creeks exist below treeline.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Strong outflow winds with a temperature inversion developing. -16 at valley bottoms and up to -6 at 1500m.

Saturday

Mostly sunny with no new snow expected. Strong outflow winds easing throughout the day. Temperature inversion strengthening throughout the day with a high of -1 at 1500m.

Sunday

Sunny with no new snow expected. Temperature inversion continues with a above freezing layer at 1500m. Light winds from the north.

Monday

Sunny with no new snow expected, Temperature inversion continues. Light to moderate winds shifting to westerly in the afternoon.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.

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.