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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 8th, 2023–Feb 9th, 2023

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

Regions

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

Take an assessment mindset with you to find out how far inland the storm is penetrating. Whether it's 10-15 cm and wind slabs forming in specific leeward pockets or 15-25 cm and a widespread touchy storm slab, it will be a good day to find some sheltered terrain away from cranking winds, overhead hazards, and the most active avalanche conditions.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Tuesday's reports included observations of a very large (size 3.5) natural deep persistent slab avalanche that occurred in the Babines over the recent stormy period. This speaks to the importance of conservative terrain selection through this period of active weather. Several less surprising small to large (size 1-2.5) naturals were observed in steep leeward terrain in the same area.

Observations from Monday in the snowier southwestern part of the region show our recent storm snow reacting to ski cutting, which produced numerous small (up to size 1.5) storm slabs on steep slopes at treeline and below with crowns up to 40cm. Isolated natural releases were also observed in the alpine.

All of these occurrences give an indication of the character of avalanches we might see through this next storm pulse.

If you are out in the backcountry, please share your observations to the Mountain Information Network!

Snowpack Summary

An uncertain 10-25 cm of new snow could accumulate in the region by end of day Thursday with the heaviest amounts expected in the southwest of the region. Forecast strong south winds will promote new slab formation over the day.

The new snow will add to 50-60 cm of recent storm snow that has been getting continuously blown into wind slabs by southwest winds at treeline and above. The growing storm total sits on a crust from the warming event on January 25th and the bond at this interface is still in question, especially with forecast loading from new snow and wind.

The mid and lower snowpack continues to bond and stabilize. A few concerning weak layers can still be found in the top meter of the snowpack including a surface hoar layer from early January and a crust from late December.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Cloudy with increasing snowfall bringing 5 -15 cm of new snow, heaviest in the southwest of the region. Winds becoming strong southeast.

Thursday

Cloudy with continuing flurries bringing 5-10 cm of new snow, again greatest in the southwest. Strong south winds easing to moderate over the day. Treeline high temperatures around -4 with freezing levels rising to 1000 m.

Friday

Diminishing cloud and isolated flurries. Storm totals of 15-30 cm. Moderate southwest winds shifting west. Treeline high temperatures around -5.

Saturday

Cloudy with scattered flurries and a trace of new snow. Strong southwest winds easing over the day. Treeline high temperatures around -7.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Use increased caution at all elevations. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.