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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 12th, 2023–Jan 13th, 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, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Howson.

Wind slabs are the main concern. Winds switching direction have formed wind slabs on all aspects.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A recent (12-24hr) natural wind slab release was observed to the northwest of Rosswood on Monday. This occurred on a steep, unsupported alpine feature at 1600 m and triggered a secondary, larger slide on the slope below it.

Snowpack Summary

Recent strong southerly wind has formed wind slabs in lee terrain features near ridges while settled storm snow exists in sheltered terrain, and moist snow or a hard crust is found below around 900 m and on solar aspects.

Weak layers that were reactive over the Christmas and New Year's period have shown signs of bonding and gaining strength. These include a surface hoar layer buried on Dec 28 found 40 to 60 cm deep and a facet layer buried on Dec 23 found 60 to 100 cm deep.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Scattered Flurries, accumulation up to 5-8cm. Light southerly winds. Treeline high temperatures around -4.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Moderate southerly winds. Treeline high temperatures around -3.

Saturday

Mainly cloudy with flurries, accumulation 5-10cm. Moderate to strong south winds. Treeline high temperatures around -3.

Sunday

mix of sun and cloud. Light south winds. Treeline high temperatures around -4 °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.
  • Exercise caution on steep, unsupported slopes.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

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.