Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 31st, 2022–Jan 1st, 2023

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

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

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

carefully assess the bond between storm snow and the underlying crust. Natural avalanche activity has tapered off but human triggering is still possible.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday one size 1.5 skier remote was reported. This avalanche released on a steep northeast slope at 1400m at the interface between the storm snow and the crust below. Several other avalanches like this one were reported to have occurred on Friday. triggers included ski cuts and naturals. Check out this MIN from Mt Washington.

Snowpack Summary

30 to 70cm of recent storm snow has likely been redistributed into wind slabs on north and east aspects and cross loading on others. This recent snow overlies a crust above 1000m. A thin layer of facets could exist at this interface. Below 1000m the snow surface could still be moist.

Once again terrain below treeline has limited or no coverage.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow to treeline and above. Light variable winds and freezing level around 900m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light to moderate southeast winds and freezing levels around 900m.

Monday

cloudy with light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Moderate southeast winds and freezing levels falling to around 800m.

Tuesday

Stormy with 5 to 15cm of new snow. Moderate south wind and freezing levels around 800m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

New storm and wind slabs could still be reactive due to the crust they have formed over. The largest and most reactive slabs will likely be found on north and east aspects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5