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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 29th, 2024–Dec 30th, 2024

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

Regions

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

Watch for lingering reactivity in wind slabs sitting over a crust at upper elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Last week, an island-wide large avalanche cycle took place during the height of the Christmas storm.

By Saturday, reported avalanche activity was limited to loose dry sluffing and size 1 skier controlled wind slabs.

Snowpack Summary

Mild temperatures promote settlement in 50 to 80 cm of recent snow, including 10-30 cm fresh from the weekend.

The recent snow sits over a widespread crust. At upper elevations, dry snow has been redistributed by strong winds, exposing the crust in places, and depositing deep drifts in lees.

Below 1400 m, surfaces are moist and/or crusty.

The remainder of the snowpack is thoroughly settled and bonded.

Snowpack depths at treeline are now about 130 -180 cm on the north and south island, closer to 250 to 300 cm on the central island.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3°C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries but no significant accumulation. 10 to 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3°C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with flurries bringing up to 5 to 10 cm of new snow. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind, increasing. Treeline temperature -3°C.

Wednesday

Cloudy 5 to 15 cm of new snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.

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.