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 19th, 2024–Dec 20th, 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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, Howson, Microwave-Sinclair.

Gusty winds are redistributing any loose snow. Be mindful that strong winds can form slabs lower in terrain than expected.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Early observations Thursday reported rapid wind slab development throughout the day, including reports of a few size 1-2 natural and rider-triggered avalanches, and skiers seeing shooting cracks at treeline and below (MIN).

On Wednesday, small size 1 wind slabs were reactive to skiers. Reports place these slabs in wind-loaded features, open treeline areas and higher.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 30 cm of wind-affected snow rests on a thick rain crust. In some areas surface hoar and/or facets are buried below this surface snow, 10 to 40 cm deep. Recent strong winds have varied in direction, building stubborn wind slabs on all aspects at upper elevations.

Treeline snow depth range from 200-280 cm. The lower snowpack has no layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Thursday night

Cloudy with flurries, trace to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm. 30 to 60 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy and unsettled. 40 to 60 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 10 cm. 40 to 70 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °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.
  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for slabs before you commit to it.

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.