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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 20th, 2024–Jan 21st, 2024

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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
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, Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, Howson, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw.

Fresh and reactive wind slabs are expected to form over the day, watch for signs of instability like cracking and recent avalanches.

Head to sheltered terrain for the best riding conditions.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday natural and human triggered wind slabs were reported on north/northwest slopes loaded by southerly winds at alpine and treeline elevations. This includes a natural avalanche cycle to size 2.5 in the north of the region. And a machine triggered size 1 on a convex roll, failing on a layer of preserved stellar crystals below the dense wind slab.

We expect activity to continue on Sunday, with natural avalanches in areas that experience heavy snow and strong winds

Snowpack Summary

Storm totals may reach 30 cm in many areas by Sunday afternoon, redistributed into deeper deposits by strong winds. Winds have varied, from north/easterly outflows to strong southerlies. Storm snow sits over old wind slabs or other hard, faceted (weak) surfaces, which increases reactivity as it resists bonding.

In sheltered areas treeline and below a layer of surface hoar can be found down 30 cm and the December crust is decomposing down 60 cm.

The rest of the snowpack is well settled with no current concerns.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy, up to 10 cm of snow overnight favouring the Terrace area. Southwest winds, 20-40 km/h. Treeline temperatures -7 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy, up to 10 cm of snow favouring terrain around Stewart. Southwest winds 20-40 km/h, Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday

Another 10 cm is possible by Monday morning, primarily around Stewart.

Cloudy, up to 5 cm of snow over the day. Southwest winds 20-40 km/h. Treeline temperature -5°C.

Tuesday

Cloudy, 5-10 cm of snow. Southwest winds 30-60 km/h. Treeline temperature -3°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.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.

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.