Avalanche Forecast
Northwest Coastal
High freezing levels continue but precipitation amounts overnight Tuesday vary through the region. If you receive more than 20 mm consider the avalanche danger to be CONSIDERABLE.
Avalanche Problem 1: Loose Wet
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain, particularly where the debris flows into terrain traps.
- Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.
Avalanche Problem 2: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Storm slabs may exist where the recent precipitation fell as snow. Watch for triggering in higher elevation, wind-exposed terrain.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
Avalanche Problem 3: Deep Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Weak layers buried near the base of the snowpack can't be dismissed while new snow or rain load the surface. I'd limit my exposure to large overhead slopes, especially when the sun makes an appearance on Monday.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Take extra caution around areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
- Avoid areas with overhead hazard.
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, numerous natural wet slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported from upper elevations. Avalanche activity will likely increase through the forecast period with new rain, snow and wind.
I'd also remain suspect of the deep persistent layers on your radar as the region receives this new load. On December 7th and 8th a few deep persistent slabs to size 3 out of steep south facing alpine terrain in the Skeena corridor west of Terrace were reported. Basal facets were thought to be the culprit in these events. The deep persistent slab is something to keep on your radar, especially with more weather in the forecast.
Snowpack Summary
Recently, the region has received up to 20 mm of rain and some new snow at high alpine elevations. The alpine and treeline has seen significant wind effect on all aspects including wind slab and wind pressed snow. Snow surfaces are highly variable and consist of rain crusts, moist snow and new dry storm snow at elevations above 1700 m. Below the surface sits a well-settled snowpack overlying several layers of interest. Down 70-100 cm you'll likely find a 5-10 cm thick crust which was buried on November 23 and in some areas, a feathery surface hoar layer down 50-60 cm producing moderate snowpack test results. The widespread crust/facet interface that was buried at the end of October can now be found 100-200 cm deep and exists region wide.
Weather Forecast
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks. Alpine temperatures near plus 5 degrees and freezing levels up to 3000 m. Ridgetop winds moderate from the south.
Thursday: Moderate precipitation amounts. Alpine temperatures high of plus 6 degrees with freezing levels 2500 m. Ridgetop winds strong from the southwest.
Friday: Cloudy with some flurries. Alpine temperatures near -3 and freezing levels dropping to 800 m. Ridgetop winds light gusting strong from the southwest.
Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for more detail.
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With continued warming and light precipitation, I would expect loose wet avalanches to occur, especially on steep slopes and terrain features well into the alpine.