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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 23rd, 2023–Feb 24th, 2023

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

Regions

Northwest Inland, Kispiox, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, South Bulkley, South Bulkley.

Wind slabs are the main concern. You may find them on a variety of aspects with recent shifting winds.

Triggering a deep persistent slab remains possible, especially in areas with a thin snowpack.

Seek out sheltered and low-consequence terrain for the best and safest riding.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Skiers/riders were able to trigger small wind slab avalanches in the northern parts of the region yesterday. Natural wind slab avalanches also occurred up to size 3, triggered by cornice fall.

The field team saw several natural size 2 wind slabs on many different aspects in the alpine at Seaton yesterday.

At Hudson Bay Mountain, one large deep persistent slab avalanche was triggered by cornice fall in the past 24-48 hours. These avalanches highlight the importance of giving cornices a wide berth and avoiding the overhead hazard they present.

Several size 2-3 explosive controlled deep persistent slab avalanches occurred near Ningunsaw yesterday.

Deep persistent slab avalanches continue to be reported throughout the region at least once a week. They are most often occurring in the alpine or near the top of treeline, around rocky ridgelines and in shallow snowpack areas. This is something to keep in mind when traveling through the backcountry.

If you go into the backcountry this weekend, please consider submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

Strong northeasterly winds have redistributed snow and formed stiff wind slabs in exposed areas. In sheltered areas, surface faceting due to cold temperatures and/or soft surface snow may remain.

Several crusts, layers of facets, or surface hoar can be found in the top 1.5 meters of the snowpack. This mid-pack is generally showing good strength.

Weak layers of note are facets near the bottom of the snowpack, 150 to 200 cm below the surface.

The total height of snow at treeline is between 200 and 280 cm.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Increasing cloud, no accumulation, winds northeast 30 km/h switching to west 40 - 60 km/h, overnight low at treeline of -25 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy, trace of snow accumulation, winds northwest 40 km/h gusting to 60 km/h, treeline temperatures -15 to -25 °C.

Saturday

5-15 cm, winds southwest 50 km/h gusting to 70 km/h, treeline temperatures -15 to -25 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy, trace of snow accumulation, winds west 30 km/h, treeline temperatures -12 ºC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
  • Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.