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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 8th, 2023–Dec 9th, 2023

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Boundary, Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, Howson.

Use extra caution at all elevations. New snow and wind will form reactive storm slab throughout the day.

There is some uncertainty in the distribution of buried surface hoar.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A large, size 3, avalanche was triggered using explosives in the north of the region. This avalanche was on a northwest aspect in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25 cm of new storm snow will form storm slab throughout the day. The largest slabs will be found on north and east aspects in the alpine. This new snow will fall on large surface hoar at treeline and a crust below treeline.

check out this great MIN from Shames.

The mid pack contains several crusts from November. In general, the mid pack is well settled.

The snowpack depth is approaching two meters in the alpine but is still quite shallow below treeline.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy with a few centimeters of new snow expected, South alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -6°C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 40 to 70 km/h, treeline temperature -1°C.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected, west alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, freezing level rising to 1200 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected,  southwest alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, freezing level falling to valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Approach steep open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, buried surface hoar may exist.
  • Surface hoar distribution is highly variable. Avoid generalizing your observations.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.