Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 14th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

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Plan to carefully evaluate terrain and choose to avoid areas below ridgetop with deep pillows of freshly loaded snow.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There have been no recent avalanche reports in the region.

If you are going out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Strong winds during this past storm event are likely to have stripped snow from exposed alpine features and transported it to lee north aspect terrain. In wind-sheltered, open terrain this new snowfall is expected to have buried surface hoar. A thin melt-freeze crust on south-facing slopes in the alpine has likely become buried down a estimated 10 to 15 cm.

In the alpine, an estimated 30 to 50 cm of snow sits above a thin crust. At lower elevations, 10 to 20 cm of snow sits above a more robust crust. The snow is moist below the crust.

Snow depths at treeline vary across the region. Around 95 cm is reported in the Coquihalla and 65 cm near Manning Park.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Snow 10 to 20 cm. 25 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1400 m

Sunday

Snow 5 to 10 cm. 15 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Monday

Snow 1 to 5 cm. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

Tuesday

Snow 1 to 5 cm. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are likely to have formed at higher elevations near ridge top where new snow has been loaded into leeward terrain features.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Expect deeper storm slab development in areas with protection from the wind

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 15th, 2024 4:00PM

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