Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 23rd, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada dsaly, Avalanche Canada

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Upwards of 70 mm of rain is forecast for the North Shore Mountains over the next 24 hours. In general, both snow quality and snowpack stability will be poor.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No notable recent avalanches have been reported. Please continue to post your observations and photos to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Wet flurries and rain will quickly stress and saturate the snowpack.

A fresh 10 cm new snow accumulated Friday morning. The new snow buried a layer of weak, sugary, unconsolidated snow produced by the recent cold weather.

The snowpack is generally well settled and bonding. Snowpack depths range from 100-180 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Wet flurries turning to rain as temperatures rise, upwards of 100 mm rain is forecast in the next 24 hrs. Southwest winds gusting to 50 km/hr. Freezing level climbing above 1200 m.

Saturday

Heavy rain, 40-80 mm. Ridgetop high temperature above 0 C. Strong south-southwest wind, gusting to 70 km/hr. Freezing level rising above 1800 m.

Sunday

Rain, 10-30 mm. Ridgetop high temperature +4 C. Southwest wind 30-60 km/hr. Freezing level spiking above 2300 m.

Monday

Rain, 50 mm. Ridgetop high temperature +6 C. Southwest wind 40 gusting to 90 km/hr. Freezing level 2300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • The first few hours of rain will likely be the most dangerous period.
  • Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Heavy rainfall and wet snow will saturate and stress the snowpack. At the highest elevations, a reactive slab will form where dry snow accumulates. In most areas, the likely hood of wet avalanches will increase as flurries turn wet and water saturates the snowpack. For wet avalanches, the first 24 hours of rain-on-snow are the most hazardous as large, destructive avalanches are most likely to occur.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 24th, 2022 4:00PM