Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 28th, 2022–Dec 29th, 2022

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: East Island, North Island, South Island, Vancouver Island.

Carefully assess the bond between the new snow and the underlying crust. New wind slabs are likely to form throughout the day and they likely won't bond well.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Wet loose avalanche activity has likely ended. As fresh snow and wind arrive on Wednesday night, new and likely rider triggerable wind slabs will form over the new crust.

Snowpack Summary

The upper snowpack up to 1400m is moist and saturated from the recent rain. between 1400m and 1600m the moist surface has formed a crust with 10cm of new dry snow above it.

As the freezing level drops this new crust will likely extend down to or below 1000m. at treeline and above new wind slab will form on north and east aspects as the next storm arrives.

Once again terrain below treeline has limited or no coverage.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mainly cloudy with flurries bringing up to 10cm of new snow. Light southeast winds. Freezing levels around 800m .

Thursday

Cloudy with around 10mm of new precipitation . Moderate south winds and Freezing levels rising to 1300m.

Friday

cloudy with 5 to 10mm of new precipitation expected. Light southwest winds and freezing levels rising to 1500m.

Saturday

Cloudy with light flurries bringing up to 5mm of new precipitation. Light variable winds and freezing level rising to 1200m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

New wind slabs will likely form in exposed terrain on north and east aspectts at treeline and above. These slabs likely won't bond to the new crust.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5