Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 25th, 2013 7:59AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

esharp, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Wind speed and direction is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: The next frontal wave with push onto the north coast early Thursday morning causing temperatures to spike before it shifting southwards. Expect light precip Thursday followed by a clearing trend into the weekend.Tonight and Thursday. Snow amounts: 10 to 15 cm falling as rain at lower elevation. Freezing levels: Rising to 1500m. Ridge winds: Moderate south-westerly. Friday. Snow amounts: light flurries. Ridge winds: Moderate south-westerly. Alpine temps: -5Saturday. Snow amounts: nil , Ridge winds Light westerly. Alpine temps: -5.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

There is significant variation in snow depths across the region. In the Smithers area the ski hill is reporting an 111 cm base with the Ashman trailer is around the same. Treeline depths vary between 100 - 200 cm.The region has received up to 10cm of snow in the last 24 hours. Between 30 and 80cm of snow now rests upon a crust that extend up to treeline and possibly beyond. This interface has been popping under easy loads in snowpack tests.We don't have great wind stations in the region, but the coast saw a lot of strong wind during the last storm & I suspect this region was similarly hammered, forming windslabs in the alpine and at treeline.Deeper in the snow pack a layer of facets/surface hoar formed during the early December cold/dry spell can be found in the top 100cm in the Ashman . The mid and lower snowpack is still structurally weak and faceted. Depth hoar and an early season crust exist near the ground.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Recent snow combined with suspected strong winds are likely loading lee features. Watch for wind slabs.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

A couple of week layers from earlier in the month are lurking in the top meter of the snow pack. Continued loading and settlement of the overlying snow may increase the likelihood of triggering an avalanche one of these layer.

Whumpfing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong inicators of unstable snowpack.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Dec 26th, 2013 2:00PM