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Avalanche Forecast

Dec 10th, 2023–Dec 11th, 2023
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
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: North Shore, Powell River, South Coast, Tetrahedron.

Use caution in wind-loaded areas where more cohesive slabs remain possible to human trigger.

Investigating the bond between new snow and underlying surfaces before committing to terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday a size 1, human-triggered, storm slab avalanche was observed in exposed wind-loaded features.

Thank you to everyone who has been sharing observations on the Mountain Information Network. All the information and photos are very appreciated by forecasters!

Snowpack Summary

15 to 20 cm of dense snow has buried a widespread melt-freeze crust. In isolated areas, a weak layer of surface hoar crystals rests between the crust and the new snow.

Overall, the snow depth remains relatively shallow, creating challenging travel conditions and numerous hazards at or just below the snow surface across all elevations.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with isolated showers, trace accumulations, variable ridgetop winds 10 km/h, treeline temperature 1 °C, freezing levels 1600 m.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, southeast ridgetop winds 10 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C, freezing levels 1600 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with no precipitation, southwest ridgetop wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C, freezing level rises to 2000 m by afternoon and continues rising to 3000 m overnight.

Wednesday

Cloudy with flurries, 10 to 25 mm accumulation, southwest ridgetop wind 40 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature -2 °C, freezing level drops to 1200 m by afternoon.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • 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

Storm Slabs

10-20 cm storm snow and moderate winds have built deep cohesive pockets of storm snow in lees. Investigate how the new snow is bonding to underlying surfaces before committing to slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5