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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 14th, 2023–Jan 15th, 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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Microwave-Sinclair, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Start on small features and gain confidence before moving into bigger terrain. The recent snow is mostly loose, but if a slab is present, it could easily avalanche on a layer of weak, feathery, surface hoar crystals.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, a few size 2 avalanches were reported in the Hankin ski touring area. These avalanches were easily triggered by the weight of a rider, and they propagated across whole terrain features. They were sliding on a layer of weak, feathery surface hoar crystals, 20cm below the snow surface.

Snowpack Summary

There is 5-15 cm of snow accumulation from the past several days. In exposed terrain this may be sitting on old buried wind slabs in lee terrain features near ridges.

Terrain sheltered from the wind has about 10-20 cm of soft snow. This snow may sit above a layer of surface hoar crystals, see the avalanche summary for reports of avalanches on this layer.

A weak layer of facets that formed during the arctic outbreak in December is buried 30 to 60 cm deep. Observations suggest it is fairly widespread, but not reactive to triggering under the current conditions.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy. No new snow expected. Light south wind. Freezing level around valley bottom. Alpine high around -3°C.

Sunday

Cloudy. Possible trace of snow expected. Light to moderate southeast wind. Alpine temperature around -5°C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy. Trace of snow expected. Light southwest wind. Alpine temperature around -5°C.

Tuesday

Possible clear skies overnight. Increasing cloud through the day. 2 cm of snow expected. Moderate to strong south and southwest wind. Alpine temperature around -7°C.

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.
  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.

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.