Avalanche Forecast
Northwest Inland
Reports from the region have been limited and it is essential to supplement this forecast with your own observations as well as conservative travel techniques. Please post your observations to the Mountain Information Network. (MIN)
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use caution in lee areas at treeline and above. New snow and winds continue to build touchy slabs.
- Avoid steep convexities and areas with variable snow distribution.
Avalanche Problem 2: Deep Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
The late October crust lies near the base of the snowpack and a layer of weak, sugary snow sits above it. This layer may react to a heavy trigger like a wind slab release. The first evidence of avalanche activity on this layer was recently reported.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- If triggered, storm slabs may step down to deeper layers and result in large avalanches.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.
Avalanche Summary
One report from Wednesday discussed several estimated Size 2.5-3 avalanches observed on the Kathlyn face of Hudson Bay Mountain. A recent report from social media showed a Size 2 avalanche that occurred last Monday in alpine terrain in the Babines. In spite of its age, the slide is notable for apparently having run on the late October persistent weak layer. No other new avalanches have been reported. Please post your observations to the Mountain Information Network. (MIN)
Snowpack Summary
Snowpack depths over the south of the region are above average for late November, with approximately 150 cm of settled snow present at treeline elevations and above. Stormy weather last week delivered about 40 cm of new snow to the region and there is a good likelihood of wind slabs remaining reactive in open terrain where wind effects were more pronounced during and since the storm. Mid-treeline and lower elevations did receive some precipitation as rain toward the end of the storm, but the thin crust that resulted is not expected to offer bridging strength to the snowpack. About 20-30 cm of settled storm snow lies below last week's accumulations and above the widespread late October crust. This October crust is present near the base of the snowpack at all elevations and features a layer of weak, sugary grains above it. This "crust/facet combo" layer remains an ongoing concern for step-down potential from large triggers such as a storm slab release. The crust is less of a concern below treeline where it is broken up by vegetation near the ground.
Weather Forecast
Sunday: Cloudy with flurries bringing approximately 7 cm of new snow. Moderate southeast winds. Alpine temperatures of -5.
Monday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries and a trace of new snow, increasing in the evening. Strong southwest winds. Alpine temperatures around -6.
Tuesday: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries bringing approximately 5 cm of new snow. Moderate to strong southwest winds. Freezing level rising to 1300 metres with alpine temperatures around -3.
Avalanche Forecasts in your Inbox
Avalanche Canada has switched to an RSS feed for its daily forecasts. This is a much more flexible method that allows automatic delivery to your email inbox, or to an RSS reader of your choice.
What are RSS feeds?
RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a popular standardized file format allowing up-to-date delivery of web-based content. RSS feeds enable you to receive content updates from websites, delivered to your email through an RSS aggregator (such as blogtrottr.com) or viewed through applications called RSS readers (such as feedly.com).
Set up an RSS feed for your email:
Select a RSS aggregator
- Northwest Inland URL:
http://www.avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/northwest-inland.rss - Copy the url and paste it into the appropriate field of your RSS aggregator.
- Fill in your email address.
- Voila! Watch the Avalanche Canada forecast roll into your inbox.
Forecast Disclaimer
Avalanche Canada's Public Avalanche Bulletin, and other information and services provided by Avalanche Canada, are intended for personal and recreational purposes only.
**THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND IN NO EVENT SHALL THE PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES RESULTING FROM DISCOMFORT, INJURY, OR DEATH, CLAIMS BY THIRD PARTIES OR FOR OTHER SIMILAR COSTS, OR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THE INFORMATION.**
The user acknowledges that it is impossible to accurately predict natural events such as avalanches in every instance, and uses the data in this bulletin with this always foremost in mind. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and the Providers disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use the data.
Even as storm slabs gradually heal to the surface, south to southeast winds and light new snow inputs are incrementally loading the snowpack. Watch for this problem to become gradually limited to lee features in wind affected terrain.