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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 26th, 2023–Dec 27th, 2023
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, North Shore, Powell River, Sea To Sky, Sky Pilot, South Coast, Tantalus, Tetrahedron.

Keep terrain selection conservative if you decide to brave the storm.

Greatest concern is for elevations above the freezing level where sensitive wind slabs may continue to build.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

We expect avalanches to have occurred at all elevations above threshold during heavy winds, rain and snow.

Please help out your backcountry community by submitting a MIN report if you head out to the backcountry.

Snowpack Summary

Continued snow and rain are expected over the day. The warm and moist snow will settle rapidly, becoming dense and presenting as a slab. Strong southerly winds have continued to transport new snow, building deeper slabs at higher elevations. Below treeline, you'll find dirt, or shallow and wet snow.

The mid and lower snowpack is made up of a series of crusts and rounded grains and is well consolidated.

Overall, the snow depth tapers rapidly with elevation and remains shallow creating challenging travel conditions and hiding early season hazards just below the snow surface.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with 5 cm of snow on the highest peaks. Freezing levels rise towards 2000 m. Southerly winds increase, 50-70 km/h.

Wednesday

Cloudy. Freezing levels begin the day at 2000 m and drop to 1600 m over the day. Up to 15 cm of wet snow is possible. Treeline temperature around 5 °C. Strong southerly winds continue, 70-90 km/h.

Heavy snow continues overnight.

Thursday

Cloudy. Freezing levels 1500-1800m. 5-15 cm of wet snow expected. Treeline temperature around 4 °C. Southerly winds, 60-80 km/h.

Friday

Cloudy. Freezing levels remain above 2000 m with light rain below. Treeline temperature around 5 °C. Southerly winds, 40-60 km/h.

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.
  • Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are expected to continue to build with continued snow and strong southerly winds. Wind slabs are most sensitive during their formation.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2