Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 22nd, 2023–Dec 23rd, 2023

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Cariboos, North Columbia, Blue River, Clearwater, McBride, Premier, Quesnel, Clemina, Jordan, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Renshaw, Robson.

Watch for signs of instability as you move through terrain.

Surface hoar layers may still be reactive to rider traffic.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Ski cutting have produced storm slab avalanches up to size 1.5. These avalanches have been at treeline and generally failing on one of the shallower surface hoar layers.

Large human and remotely triggered avalanches continue to occur in neighboring regions. These avalanches are generally occurring at or above treeline and are failing on the surface hoar layer from early December.

Snowpack Summary

Check out this MIN from our field team describing snowpack tests in the Cariboo's near Valemont.

20 to 40 cm of recent snow has been redistributed into wind slab on north and east aspects near ridge crests. This may have buried a layer of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain. Below treeline a new crust has likely formed on the surface.

A crust formed during the early December rain event exists down roughly 30 to 60 cm from the surface and is highly variable in strength and thickness throughout the terrain. A concerning layer of buried surface hoar is 50 to 100 cm below the surface at treeline and above.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Partially cloudy with trace amounts of new snow expected, northwest alpine wind 20 to 30 km/h, freezing level falling to valley bottom.

Saturday

Mostly sunny with no new snow expected, south alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -8°C.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow expected, southeast alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -10°C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow expected, southeast alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -10°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

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.