Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 4th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

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Sea To Sky, South Coast, South Coast Inland, Birkenhead, Coquihalla, Duffey, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit, South Chilcotin, Stein, Taseko, North Shore, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, Tetrahedron, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Powell River, Spearhead, Stave, Tantalus.

Mild temperature and elevated freezing level continue.

Uncertainty remains whether the heat will continue to impact the snowpack.

Back off steep slopes if moist / wet snow surface is found.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Numerous wet loose avalanches (size 1.5 to 2) were naturally triggered by the sun on steep sun-exposed terrain at treeline and alpine throughout the region in the last 3 days.

If you are going out in the backcountry, please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network (MIN) report.

Snowpack Summary

The surface consists of a mix of melt-freeze crust and moist snow on all aspects.

Alpine slopes are wind-affected, scoured, or hold a thin surface crust. At treeline, a widespread layer of large weak surface hoar crystals was observed at the snow surface on sheltered terrain.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled and bonded.

Snow depths vary from 100 to 140 cm at treeline and decrease rapidly below 1500 m, exposing early-season hazards.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level 1000 m. Alpine temperature inversion.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Friday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 mm of rain. 50 to 70 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with heavy rain or wet snow. 30 to 50 mm. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2°C. Freezing level 2500 m lowering to 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.
  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Wet loose avalanches remain possible as mild air temperature continues. It could become a problem on steep slopes where wet or moist snow is found. Uncertainty remains about whether the heat will continue to impact the snowpack.

Aspects: South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Dec 5th, 2024 4:00PM

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