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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 3rd, 2022–Dec 4th, 2022

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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Recent snowfall and above freezing tempertures will make avalanches possible at upper elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported, but observations are limited this time of year. If you do head into the backcountry please submit a MIN report!

Snowpack Summary

Friday's storm brought 20 to 30 cm of fresh snow to the south and central parts of the island and less than 15 cm to northern parts. This adds to the previous storm to bring recent snowfall up to 30 to 60 cm. Above freezing temperatures over the weekend will promote settlement of this snow and cause the surface to become moist or wet.

80 to 100 cm of snow can be found in the alpine, with wind-loaded areas up to 150 cm. Every storm brings the snowpack closer to the threshold for avalanches, however some areas at treeline and most areas below treeline have yet to overcome ground roughness.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Clear skies, no precipitation, 30 km/h wind from the northeast, above freezing temperatures between 1000 and 2000 m.

Sunday

Clear skies, no precipitation, 20 km/h wind from the northeast, freezing level climbs to 2200 m with treeline temperatures reaching +3 °C.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud, no precipitation, 20 to 30 km/h wind from the northwest, treeline temperatures around -3 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy, isolated flurries with trace amounts of snow, 40 to 60 km/h wind from the northwest, treeline temperatures around -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • Watch for signs of slab formation throughout the day.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.