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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 19th, 2022–Dec 20th, 2022

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.
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.

In frigid temperatures, slabs may take longer than usual to heal and bond to the snow below.

If you're getting out in the cold, remember that freezing temperatures make for higher consequences.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches have been reported in this area recently. If you venture into the backcountry, please consider submitting a MIN report, as it helps to strengthen our data gathering.

Snowpack Summary

This recent snow received this past weekend overlies a highly wind-affected surface, including a wide variation in snowpack depths. Exposed alpine areas have been scoured, while lee slopes can see 150 cm.

In sheltered areas at treeline, a layer of surface hoar crystals is found down 20 to 30 cm. Although this layer has not been producing avalanches recently, reverse-loading may increase the likelihood of triggering.

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

Weather Summary

The same story continues with the bitterly cold arctic air mass over the region. Gusty outflow winds, extremely cold temperatures and dangerous wind chill values are expected to persist through Friday.

Monday night

Mostly clear. No precipitation. Easterly wind at 40 km/h. Temperatures steady around -26˚C.

Tuesday

Mostly clear. No precipitation. Easterly wind at 40 km/h. Temperatures steady around -28˚C.

Wednesday

Mostly clear. No precipitation. Easterly wind at 40 km/h. Temperatures steady around -30˚C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and clouds. No precipitation. Southeasterly wind at 30 km/h. Temperatures steady around -32˚C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.

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.