Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 21st, 2022–Dec 22nd, 2022

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

Treeline

4: High

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high

Below Treeline

4: High

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high

Regions: North Shore, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, South Coast.

If pushing into bigger terrain continue to assess for cohesive, wind slabs on the surface. Recent snow may still need time to bond to the underlying layers.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A small slab overlaying a crust was triggered from a short distance away on Tuesday, as reported in this MIN report.

If you head out into the mountains, please share your photos or observations on the Mountain Information Network. Your information helps us understand local conditions!

Snowpack Summary

Roughly 50 cm of low-density snow has fallen since Sunday. The new snow is generally light, loose, and unconsolidated. in sheltered northerly terrain, recent snow has buried a weak layer of surface hoar over a melt-freeze crust.

The mid and lower snowpack generally well settled and bonding.

At treeline the snowpack depth generally is 100 to 170 cm.

Weather Summary

Cold arctic air continues to blanket Southwest BC until Friday when a warm and wet storm begins to move inland.

Wednesday night

Clear. temperatures -10 to -20 C and light to moderate easterly winds in the alpine.

Thursday

Sunny with clouds building in the afternoon, and no precipitation. Temperatures -10 to -20 C and light northeast winds.

Friday

Cloudy with snow, up to 20 cm. Temperatures of 0 to -5 C, and moderate to strong south winds. Freezing levels rise to around 1000 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with rain and wet snow (approximately 40mm). Temperatures above freezing, and strong winds in the alpine. Freezing levels rise to around 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

The surface snow remains low density and unconsolidated. This makes it ideal for wind transport. Watch for deep drifts and firm slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2