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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 20th, 2024–Dec 21st, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, Howson, Microwave-Sinclair.

Reactive wind slabs may exist on all aspects at treeline and above.

Whumpfing and shooting cracks in the snowpack are indicators of unstable conditions.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent observations reported. On Thursday reports saw rapid wind slab development throughout the day, including reports of a few size 1-2 natural and rider-triggered avalanches, and skiers seeing shooting cracks at treeline and below (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

In some areas surface hoar and/or facets are buried 10 to 20 cm below the surface snow.

30 to 50 cm of wind-affected snow rests on a thick rain crust. Recent strong winds have varied in direction, building wind slabs on all aspects at upper elevations.

Treeline snow depth range from 200-280 cm. The lower snowpack has no layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Cloudy, with isolated flurries. 25 to 55 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C and alpine temperatures near 0 °C due to a weak, above freezing layer.

Saturday

Cloudy. 35 to 70 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C and alpine temperatures +2 °C.

Sunday

Snow 5 to 10 cm. 35 to 55 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Monday

Snow 10 to 15 cm. 30 to 80 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for slabs before you commit to it.

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.