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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 11th, 2025–Jan 12th, 2025

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

Regions

Howson, Microwave-Sinclair, North Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

A combination of the lowest danger and best riding will be found in low-angled, sheltered terrain, where the snow hasn't been wind-affected.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Friday several wind slabs sized 1 to 2 were observed across the region.

Wednesday, a few wind slab avalanches size 1.5 to 2 were reported on east aspects in the alpine. Some were cornice-triggered, and one was noted to have stepped down the persistent weak layer. See photo below.

Natural avalanche activity has likely subsided, but we expect human-triggering to remain possible.

Snowpack Summary

Strong to extreme westerly through northwesterly winds have been scouring snow on windward faces and building thick wind slabs on lee slopes. These slabs may need a few days to bond.

Recent snowfall has been variable throughout the region; between 10 to 30 cm since the start of the week. Sunny slopes and areas below 1200 m, the snow surface may be moist, wet or crusty.

A persistent weak layer composed of facets overlying a crust is buried 40 to 80 cm deep. This layer has been stubborn to unreactive in recent snowpack tests, but may remain possible to trigger in isolated areas.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Mostly clear. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Sunday

Sunny. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Monday

Partly cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 60 to 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow/ light rain. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

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.