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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 22nd, 2024–Nov 23rd, 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, Howson, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, North Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Recent wind effect has been extensive. Avalanches are most likely to fail on steep westerly through southerly wind-affected slopes near ridgetops.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday cracking and whumpfing, which are signs of instability, were noted in the Smithers area.

A few large (size 2) wind slab avalanches were reported last week. We suspect with recent and forecast wind, that wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggering over the next few days.

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

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs have formed on many lee slopes. Expect to find sastrugi and wind-scoured surfaces in all open wind-exposed areas at upper elevations.
A rain crust from early November is likely buried 30 to 50 cm deep and may be poorly bonded to overlying wind slabs.
Most areas below treeline do not have enough snow to meet the threshold for avalanches.
Alpine snow depths vary across the region, but are roughly 100 cm west of Smithers and 50 cm to the east. The Ningunsaw area also has around 100 cm in the alpine.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy with 1 to 4 cm of snow. 50 to 60 km/h east wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 35 to 50 km/h east wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

Sunday

Partly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h east wind. Treeline temperature high -12 °C.

Monday

Mostly sunny. 10 to 15 km/h variable wind. Treeline temperature high -11°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.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Keep in mind a buried crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.

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.