Regions
Northwest Inland.
This forecast is based on very limited field observations. Please share yours by clicking "Avalanche Information" at the top of the page.
Confidence
Poor - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
The forecast calls for continuing light snow for the next three days as a SW flow directs itself at the coast. A more organised frontal system is expected to bring around 10-15 cm snow on Tuesday/ Wednesday. Winds are moderate to strong from the SW and the freezing level hovers near 500 m throughout the period.
Avalanche Summary
In the Ningunsaw area, explosives triggered several deep persistent slabs to size 3 which failed on basal facets on Friday. Skiers also triggered size 1 slabs on wind-loaded features at treeline on Friday. Nothing was reported on Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
Strong southerly winds are building wind slabs, generally depositing snow on N and NE aspects (other aspects may be getting cross-loaded or variable local wind effects too, so keep your eyes open). A surface hoar layer was reported to have been buried at the start of January in the northern part of the region. In the mid-pack, a crust weakness buried in mid-December seems to have fallen off most operators' radar for now. Near the base of the snowpack is a November crust-facet combination that could remain problematic, especially in shallower snowpack areas. We are skinny on field observations from your region, so submissions on our website are welcomed. Click Avalanche Information at the top of the page.
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.
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.