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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 12th, 2022–Dec 13th, 2022

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

Blue River, Clearwater, Premier, Clemina, North Monashee.

Use extra caution at treeline where triggering a persistent slab is more likely. This layer will be easier to trigger on exposed slopes where wind slabs could have formed over surface hoar.

Read our featured blog on understanding how to manage a persistent slab problem when traveling in the backcountry.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday operators in the region reported a skier accidental persistent slab avalanche, size 2, on the mid-November layer.

Please continue to share any observations of photos on the Mountain Information Network!

Snowpack Summary

Variable winds throughout this region has redistributed the 20-40 cm of snow received last week into pockets of wind slab at higher elevations. In sheltered areas without wind effect loose dry snow can still be found.

The snowpack below this is generally weak. A layer of surface hoar, facets, and/or melt-freeze crust can be found down 40 to 60cm. This layer is most concerning at 1900m and below.

Snowpack depths range from 60cm at treeline to 140 cm in the alpine. Below treeline the snowpack is thin and faceted (weak) making it a challenge to access terrain in many areas without damaging your sled.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Clear skies with northerly ridge winds 25 km/hr. Alpine temperatures, low of -10.

Tuesday

Mainly clear in the morning, becoming cloudy in the afternoon with isolated flurries, 2 cm accumulation. Northerly ridge wind 25 - 40 km/hr. Alpine temperatures, high of -10.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. Northwesterly ridge winds 40 km/hr. Alpine temperatures, high of -7.

Thursday

Clear skies. Northwesterly ridge winds 25 - 40 km/hr. Alpine temperatures, high of -8.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.

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.