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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 8th, 2025–Jan 9th, 2025

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, human triggered possible.
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

Northwest Inland, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, North Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain. Buried weak layers may become reactive with the added weight of wind-loaded snow.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday our field team observed evidence of several wind slab avalanches up to size 2 on east aspects in the alpine. One was noted to have stepped down the persistent weak layer.

Snowpack Summary

Light snowfall continues to be redistributed by west wind. Recent snowfall has been variable throughout the region. By the end of the day Thursday, recent storm totals will vary from 10 to 35 cm.

The recent snow may cover a thin sun crust on south and westerly slopes.

A significant weak layer is buried 40 to 80 cm deep, composed of weak facets overlying a crust. With additional new snow and wind-loading, this layer may become reactive.

The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled and bonded.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Friday

Cloudy with 3 to 8 cm of snow. 50 to 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud. 40 to 60 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.