Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 23rd, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

dsaly, Avalanche Canada

Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.

Snowfall intensities Saturday morning could produce rates of over 4 cm snowfall per hour! With heavy snowfall and strong wind, expect storm slabs to build in size and sensitivity through the day.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No notable recent avalanches have been reported. Please continue to post your observations and photos to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

A fresh 10-20 cm of snow accumulated by Friday morning, accompanied by steady south wind. The new snow overlies a facetted and unconsolidated layer which formed during the recent cold weather.

The snowpack is generally well settled and bonding well. Snowpack depths reach 200 cm at treeline and higher.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Stormy with flurries, 5-15 cm overnight. Alpine temperatures rise to -10 C by morning. Ridgetop winds southwest 25-50 km/hr.

Saturday

Heavy precipitation, strong winds, and rising freezing levels are forecast throughout the day. Expect to encounter a variety of precipitation forms including freezing rain at roadside elevations.

Snow through the day, 20-40 cm. Alpine high temperature -4 C. Ridgetop winds southwest 30-60 km/hr. Freezing level 1000 m.

Sunday

Continued flurries, 10 cm. Alpine high temperatures +1 C. Ridgetop winds southwest 40-60 km/hr. Freezing level rising above 2000 m.

Monday

Wet flurries and snow, 15-25 cm. Alpine high temperatures 0 C. Ridgetop winds southwest 20-30 km/hr. Freezing level 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind or rain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Snowfall intensities Saturday morning could produce rates of over 4 cm of snowfall per hour! With heavy snowfall and strong wind, expect storm slabs to build in size and sensitivity through the day.

Freezing levels are forecast to rise over the weekend with continued precipitation; watch for rain falling on snow and saturating the snowpack. In the case of wet avalanches, the first 24 hours of rain-on-snow are the most hazardous as large, destructive avalanches are most likely to occur.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 24th, 2022 4:00PM