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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 27th, 2023–Dec 28th, 2023

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Boundary, Stewart, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw.

Seek terrain that is sheltered from the wind for better snow quality and lower avalanche danger.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, explosive avalanche control produced large avalanches up to size 2.5 within the recent storm snow, with crowns as deep as 75 cm.

On Monday, a natural avalanche cycle up to size 2.5 was reported during the storm.

If you head into the backcountry please consider submitting your observations to the Mountain Information Network!

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm totals range from 50-100 cm. At elevations below 500 m, a 10 cm thick crust exists on the surface. At upper elevations, strong southerly winds have formed deep wind slabs in leeward terrain, while scouring windward slopes.

A spotty layer of surface hoar can be found down over 100 cm in sheltered terrain features at and below treeline. The distribution of this layer is not well known, and it may be getting too deep to be triggered by the weight of a human.

A layer of facets buried at the end of November can be found near the ground. The snowpack depth varies between 200 and 300 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Cloudy with flurries up to 5 cm. Moderate southeast wind. Freezing level 300 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with snow flurries, 5-15 cm. Moderate to strong southeast wind. Treeline temperatures around -3 °C. Freezing level 500 m.

Friday

10-25 cm of new snow, turning to rain below 1300 m. Moderate to strong southeast wind. Treeline temperatures around -2 °C.

Saturday

Flurries, 5-10 cm. Moderate to strong southeast wind. Treeline temperatures around -1 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
  • Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

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.