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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 21st, 2024–Nov 22nd, 2024

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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Wind slab formation has been extensive. Avalanches are most likely to fail on steep wind-loaded southerly and westerly slopes, especially near ridgetops.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Wednesday: North of Stewart recent extreme winds resulted in a natural cycle of size 1.5 to 2.5 wind slab avalanches. They occurred on leeward north through east faces. Shooting cracks, which are a sign of instability, were also reported in wind slabs by snowmobilers. These slabs may stay reactive to human triggering for several days.

Early season reports have been extremely limited. Please consider submitting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Thick and reactive wind slabs have formed on many lee slopes. Expect to find sastrugi and hard wind-scoured surfaces in all open wind-exposed areas at upper elevations.
A rain crust from early November is buried 50 to 100 cm deep in the alpine.
Snow depths vary across the region but generally range from 100 to 200 cm in the alpine and about 50 cm at 1000 m.

Weather Summary

Thursday night

Mostly clear. 15 to 25 km/h southeast wind. Treeline temperature low -11°C.

Friday

Mostly sunny. 30 to 50 km/h east wind. Treeline temperature high -9 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southeast wind. Treeline temperature high -14 °C.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. 25 to 40 km/h east wind. Treeline temperature high -12 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
  • Keep your guard up at all elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive and could extend into openings below treeline.

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.