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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 16th, 2022–Dec 17th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

If you're getting out there in the cold, keep in mind that being involved in an avalanche in extreme cold temperatures makes for higher consequences.

North winds will deposit any loose snow into new wind slabs through reverse-loading.

Look for higher quality riding in sheltered terrain features well below ridge line.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Our field team reported one size 2 natural wind slab avalanche on a southeast facing alpine feature at 1900m 48-72hrs old.

Thank you for the MIN reports. They are extremely helpful to us! If you head into the backcountry please submit a MIN report!

Snowpack Summary

In general, the snowpack is highly wind affected resulting in a wide variation in snowpack depths. Depths at treeline range from 50 to 125cm. Riding quality is best in sheltered terrain.

The snowpack is somewhat shallow but for the most part settled and well consolidated with no layers of concern being reported.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Cloudy. 5cm of new snow possible as warm and cold air masses collide. Wind northwest at 30km/h and up to 50km/h in the high alpine. Temperatures dropping to -15˚C.

Saturday

Partly cloudy. Flurries possible. Wind northeast at 20km/h. Temperature hovering around -20˚C.

Sunday and Monday

Mostly clear. No new snow. Wind northeast at 30km/h. Temperatures steady around -26˚C

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.

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.