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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 26th, 2023–Dec 27th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Carefully assess conditions as you gain elevation. In wind exposed terrain above the freezing line, wind slabs are likely.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches have been reported in this region, however operators are limited at this point in the season.

We expect natural and human triggered avalanches to have occurred during the storm, in wind loaded terrain features.

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

Snowpack Summary

Storm totals of 20-40 cm of heavy (wet) snow has fallen above 1800 m and formed dense wind slabs from strong southerly winds. This sits over a variety of surfaces - wind affected in exposed areas, and surface hoar in sheltered areas.

A melt-freeze crust can be found down 30-60 cm in alpine terrain. This layer has been reactive to explosive testing and in thinner areas may be reactive to human triggering.

At treeline and above a crust that tapers at higher elevations, and surface hoar in sheltered areas is buried around 70 cm deep.

Overall, the snow depth remains shallow, with average treeline snowpack depths between 70 and 100 cm.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Increasing cloud, with freezing levels around 1000 m. Possible flurries overnight. Southerly winds remain strong at ridgeline, 30-50 km/h.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with freezing levels falling from 2000-1500 m. 5 cm of snow may fall above. Treeline temperature around 0 °C. Southerly winds 40-60 km/h.

Thursday

Cloudy with afternoon sunny breaks possible. Freezing level 1800 m. Treeline temperature around 0 °C. 5-10 cm of snow possible. Southerly winds 40-60 km/h.

Friday

Cloudy with freezing levels rising to 2000 m. Treeline temperature around 0 °C. No snowfall is expected. Southerly winds 20-40 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.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.