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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 5th, 2013–Dec 6th, 2013

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

Northwest Inland.

This forecast is based on limited field observations. If you head into the mountains, please send a note to [email protected] and let us know what you saw.

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: An arctic ridge of high pressure will persist over the BC Interior and Yukon for the next several days. Friday: Mainly sunny with extreme outflow winds in the valleys and moderate to strong northeasterly alpine winds. Treeline temperatures expected to be around -10. Saturday: Mainly sunny with some thin cloud possible, outflow winds easing moderate in valley bottoms and light to moderate northeasterly alpine winds. Treeline temperatures expected to be around -15 but not much colder in the alpine. Sunday: Increased cloud, windy, and cold with the possibility of above freezing temperatures between 1500m and 2000m.

Avalanche Summary

Several wind slab avalanches up to Size 2 were observed just below ridge crests between 1500m and 1800m in the Ashman Ridge area last Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow is settling and gaining strength, however weaknesses at the old snow interface down approximately 40cm may still need time to heal. In the Ashman Ridge area on Sunday, this interface gave easy compression test results. Northerly outflow winds are likely forming fresh wind slabs in exposed lee terrain and scouring windward terrain. Average snowpack depths near treeline are highly variable, but around a metre in sheltered areas.

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.