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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 3rd, 2024–Feb 4th, 2024

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

Regions

Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Howson, Microwave-Sinclair, North Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Wind slabs likely remain triggerable in the alpine.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

After a stormy and avalanchy week, by Friday reports of avalanche activity were limited to natural wind slabs size 1-1.5 out of north to east aspects in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

A moist upper snowpack up to 2000 m is refreezing into a crust. In the alpine, the refreeze may be slowed by overlying dry snow; as little as 10 cm near Smithers and and much as 50 cm near the coast. Below 1000 m, the fully rain-soaked snowpack is starting to refreeze.

A variety of previously concerning weak layers buried in January can be found 30 - 80 cm deep. These layers appear to be strengthening and are expected to continue to improve under the current cooling trend.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Clear. Northwest ridgetop wind 10-20 km/h. Treeline temperature around -12 °C.

Sunday

Sunny. Northwest to northeast ridgetop wind 10-20 km/h. Treeline temperature around -5 °C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. East ridgetop wind 30-40 km/h. Treeline temperature around -6 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. Southwest ridgetop wind <20 km/h. Treeline temperature around -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

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.