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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 31st, 2024–Feb 1st, 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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Start on small slopes, and check for signs of instability before committing to steep or high-consequence terrain.

Riding conditions and avalanche problems will change with elevation.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Wednesday before 4 pm.

On Sunday and Monday, numerous small to large (up to size 2) naturally triggered avalanches were reported across the forecast area in steep, north and east-facing alpine terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Expect to find 5-10 cm of soft, dry snow on the surface in sheltered areas of the alpine, shallower and more moist at treeline. A thin frozen crust exists near the surface. Moderate to strong wind has formed reactive wind slabs on north through east-facing terrain, and exposed the crust on windward terrain.

At around 1000 m and below, the snowpack is shallower (around 50 cm) and likely isothermal. If you stand in it, your foot sinks right to the ground.

A variety of previously concerning weak layers buried from early to mid-January can be found 30 - 80 cm below the snow surface. As the temperature cools after warm temperatures and rain, these layers appear to be strengthening.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy. 2-5 cm of snow expected above 1000 m. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline low around -1 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy. Very light rain expected, snow above 1500 m. Moderate ridgetop wind, shifting from SW to SE. Treeline temperature around 0 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy. Very light rain and snow expected as freezing level drops to valley bottom. Strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline low around -7 °C.

Saturday

Partly cloudy. No new snow expected. Light to moderate northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.