Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 10th, 2022 4:00PM

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

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You're most likely to encounter avalanche problems at higher elevations near ridges and peaks that are away from the coast where the snow was deep, dry, and will take more time to settle and gain strength.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported by professionals on Friday.

Keep sharing your observations via the MIN; it helps strengthen our information gathering.

Snowpack Summary

Upper snowpack: 20 to 40 cm more recent snow bring storm snow totals around 50 to 70 cm. It's arriving warm and mixed with rain near the coast (e.g. North Shore Mountains). Mid-pack: softer, weaker layers of less cohesive snow around 80 - 100 cm down should be gaining strength as they squish. Lower-pack: a thick melt-freeze crust and increasing strength.

At 1000 m the snowpack depth is around 150 cm. Lower treeline and below treeline elevations are still below the threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

Saturday NightStorm ends with another 5 to 10 mm of precip (rain down low, snow at high elevations). Temps staying warm between around zero near treeline with freezing level around 1000 m. Southeast to south wind moderate but diminishing overnight.

SundayDry with only a trace of snow possible. Continued warm with temperatures around zero near treeline elevations. Freezing level lowering to around 700 m. Light northwest wind. Mix of sun and cloud in the morning, clearing in the afternoon.

Monday

Dry. Cooler with temps between 0 and -5 C and freezing level to valley bottom. Northerly light wind with outflow from the interior in the major valleys. Mix of sun and cloud.

Tuesday

Similar to Monday but colder with more sun and less cloud.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Start on smaller terrain features and gather information before committing to bigger terrain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Wind loaded slopes will be the most sensitive and dangerous, but many steep slopes may be suspect especially during times of intense snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 11th, 2022 4:00PM