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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 2nd, 2024–Dec 3rd, 2024

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

Regions

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

Dynamic weather conditions combined with uncertainty around buried weak layers warrant a conservative approach to terrain on Tuesday.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed, but reports have been extremely limited.

Wind slabs may remain triggerable at upper elevations, while loose wet avalanches become increasingly likely at elevations where precipitation falls as rain.

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

Snowpack Summary

Snow surfaces become moist as the rain line rises to 2300 m today.

40 to 70 cm of recent storm snow has likely been redistributed at upper elevations by strong southwesterly winds. The recent snow sits over small facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered areas, and firm wind-affected surfaces in exposed terrain.

Two surface hoar layers can be found in the mid snowpack: One down 60 to 80 cm and another down 60 to 110 cm at treeline.

Deeper in the snowpack, a rain crust from early November seems to be bonding well to surrounding snow.

Weather Summary

A series of frontal systems from the south bring warm, moist air to the region. This means generally high freezing levels and wet precipitation. Between Tuesday and Thursday, expect freezing levels to fluctuate rapidly and vary from north to south.

Monday night

Cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow above 1500 m, light rain below. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow turning to rain as snow line rises to 2300 m through the day. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm above 1700 m, light rain below. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Thursday

Cloudy. Light precip. Rain/snow line dropping to 1500 m. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level dropping 2000 to 1600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for rapidly changing conditions during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
  • Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low angle terrain with no overhead hazard.
  • Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to buried surface hoar.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

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.