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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 9th, 2023–Jan 10th, 2023

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

Regions

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

Assess for wind slabs in steep terrain.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Over the weekend, a few size 2 wind slab avalanches and small dry loose avalanches were observed in steep terrain. Explosive control produced a few size two avalanches on buried facet layers, but mostly indicated this layer has become unreactive to human triggering.

Snowpack Summary

Recent strong southerly wind formed wind slabs in lee terrain features near ridges. Settled storm snow exists in sheltered terrain, and moist snow or a hard crust is found below around 800 m. 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

Monday night

Cloudy, no precipitation, 30 to 40 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperature -6 °C, freezing level 600 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulations up to 5 cm, 20 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperature -4 °C.

Wednesday

Light flurries in the morning with up to 5 cm of snow, mix of sun and cloud in the afternoon, 30 to 40 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperature -2 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy wth scattered flurries bringing 5 to 10 cm of snow, 30 to 40 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Exercise caution on steep, unsupported slopes.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • 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.