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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 28th, 2024–Dec 29th, 2024
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.

Seek out low-angle, sheltered terrain for good riding.

Wind slabs could step down to buried crusts producing very large avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Observations have been limited in this region. Riders on Friday reported triggering a small wind slab on a steep slope at Burnt Ridge, as well as avoiding wind-affected snow in the alpine. Riders on Thursday reported avoiding ridgetop drop-ins because of the presence of slabby snow conditions.

Looking ahead, expect that wind slabs will continue to be reactive to human triggering.

Please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

20 to 30 cm of new snow overlies a melt-freeze crust up to 1900 m. Recent snow has been transported by moderate to strong south and southwesterly winds, building reactive cornices and slabs on lee slopes.

This overlies a further 20 to 50 cm of snow which may be poorly bonded to another melt-freeze crust, 60 to 100 cm deep. A layer of surface hoar may exist just above this crust in sheltered terrain at treeline. Failures on this layer could result in very large avalanches.

Snow depths at treeline vary between 90 to 160 cm.

Check out this MIN report of conditions.

Weather Summary

Saturday NightCloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Sunday

Partly cloudy. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

MondayPartly cloudy with trace precipitation. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Tuesday

Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

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.
  • Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Use small, low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for convex rolls, corniced ridgelines, and cross-loaded slopes, where the wind has transported snow into deeper deposits.

Avalanches could fail or step down to buried crusts in the snowpack, creating very large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5