Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Dec 18 – 19, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

The potential exists for recent storm snow over surface hoar to step down and trigger larger slabs in sheltered lee terrain. Select conservative terrain and assess how new snow is bonding.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Expect the sensitivity of this problem to increase with additional wind transport.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Treeline avalanche sensitivity may heighten with more snow,

    A persistent slab problem, 100-200 cm down on a melt-freeze crust, may be triggered by a significant load, such as a cornice failure or large explosive.

Confidence

No Rating

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday a size 2.5 glide slab avalanche was observed in the alpine. Numerous both loose dry and slab avalanches up-to size 2 had been observed in steep unsupported terrain with a few of them running far in the track. All of the other professional operations in this areas did not observe any new avalanches.

On Wednesday, a large avalanche cycle occurred. Natural and explosive triggered avalanches avalanches, up to size 3, were reported throughout the region.

Snowpack Summary

In the Alpine, recently buried surface hoar is near the surface, with the latest snow redistributed into a soft slab by previous southwesterly winds. The Nov 26th layer is situated down 100 to 200 cm. Below treeline, a trace of new snow overlays small surface hoar. The mid and lower snowpack is dense and well-settled, containing various crust layers. Snowpack depths vary, averaging around 250 cm.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Clear with clouds increasing by morning, no accumulation, ridgetop winds southerly 15 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy, trace to 5 cm accumulation, ridgetop winds southwest 20 km/h, treeline temperature - 6°C.

Tuesday

Cloudy, 5 to 10 cm accumulation, ridgetop winds south southeast 20 km/h, treeline temperature -10 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy, 1 to 5 cm accumulation,, ridgetop winds southerly 80 km/h, treeline temperatures -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Choose relatively conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.

Regions covered