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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 11th, 2023–Dec 12th, 2023

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

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

It's not a very friendly snowpack. Still shallow, full of weak layers, and topped by wind slab. Complicated stuff! Use low and moderately-angled terrain to simplify your risk management.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Other than a few small releases noted in this fantastic MIN report from the Seaton area on Sunday, no recent avalanches have been reported in the region.

If you do go into the backcountry, consider submitting a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30 cm of recent storm snow has been redistributed by variable winds. This new snow overlies a weak, feathery layer of surface hoar at 1200 m. Below this elevation it overlies a crust.

Another surface hoar layer is down 40 to 60 cm. This layer could exist on all aspects and at all elevations.

In general, the snowpack is still shallow for this time of year with snowpack depths at treeline ranging from 50 to 100 cm. Early season hazards are still a concern.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mainly clear with valley cloud below 1500 m. Southwest alpine wind 20-30 km/h.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. South alpine wind 40 to 70 km/h, increasing. Treeline temperature -5.

Wednesday

Cloudy with flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. Southwest alpine wind 30 to 60 km/h, easing. Treeline temperature -2.

Thursday

Clearing, with cloud remaining below 1500 m. South alpine wind 30-60 km/h, increasing. Treeline temperature -7°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.

Problems

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.

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.