Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 11th, 2022–Dec 12th, 2022

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

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

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

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: East Island, North Island, South Island, Vancouver Island, West Island.

Before pushing into bigger terrain remember recent wind slabs may still need time to settle and stabilize at higher elevations. Exercise caution around ridges and rib features, where wind slabs are more likely to be reactive.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported. Evidence of a natural avalanche cycle during the recent stormy weather has been reported.

Keep sharing your observations by submitting a MIN report! They are especially helpful in the early season when snowpack information can be limited.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 60cm of new snow arrived with strong southerly winds between last Thursday and Sunday afternoon. With the current trend of generally mild and calm weather, the upper snowpack will continue to settle and stabilize. A crust exists on the ground, in southerly aspects, and at lower elevations. Snowpack depths generally range from 90-140 cm at treeline.

With the recent snowfall lower elevations are at or approaching their threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Clearing skies, with light northerly winds and temperatures as low as -6 C in the alpine. Freezing levels around 500 m.

Monday

Mostly clear skies with light northerly winds and temperatures slightly below freezing in the alpine. Freezing levels will generally range from 500-800 m.

Tuesday

Mainly cloudy with no precipitation. Light winds and temperatures just below freezing in the alpine. Freezing levels remain around 500-800 m.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and could, with no precipitation. Alpine winds remain light. Freezing levels rise significantly, well into the alpine.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
The new snow may require another day to settle and stabilize.
Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Small windslabs may persist in exposed alpine and treeline terrain despite the current mild and calm weather. Reactive windslabs are likely isolated to steep, northerly terrain, immediately behind ridges or high points.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2