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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 6th, 2022–Dec 7th, 2022

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

Regions

South Coast Inland, Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit, Stein.

Carefully evaluate each slope for isolated wind slabs before committing.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A wind slab was accidentally triggered by a skier Sunday on a southeast slope of Nak Peak. This small avalanche (size 1) was 30 cm deep and ran 60 m. Also from the weekend natural wind slab avalanches on small cross-loaded features were reported in the same area. Debris from natural slab avalanches running on the ground or on smooth rock features have been seen over the weekend.

No new reports since the weekend. Keep sharing your observations via the MIN; it helps strengthen our information gathering.

Snowpack Summary

Wind-affected snow is found in openings at treeline and above. Clear and cold weather grew surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas at treeline.

The upper snowpack consists of 20 to 75 cm of snow, which is now covering a melt-freeze crust. The mid-snowpack is consolidated with a series of crust layers and weak faceted crystals underneath. Near the ground, the snow lacks cohesion due to early-season cold temperatures and shallow snow depths. At 1750 m, the snowpack depth is around 130 to 165 cm which is low for early December.

Early season hazards such as rocks and stumps still lurk below the surface. Below treeline is still below the threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

An arctic ridge of high pressure continues for one more day; next system expected Wednesday night

Tuesday NightTrace to a few cm of new snow. Temperatures around -5 C. Wind southwest with moderate strength.

WednesdayDry, temperature steady around -5 C near treeline, light to moderate westerly wind.

Thursday

Storm should deliver 5 to 10 cm of snow with southwest wind and temperatures remaining just below zero near treeline elevations. Freezing level around 500m.

Friday

Storm clears out so dry, slightly cooler, light southwest wind.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.

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.