Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 14th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
lbaker,
Avalanche Canada
Reverse loading from moderate to strong north winds continues to build potential wind slabs on unusual aspects. Watch for reactivity on all aspects around ridge lines.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, a MIN from the Sun Peaks area reported a size 1 skier accidental avalanche in sparse trees. The slab consists of the recent wind-affected storm snow and looked to be 30 cm deep.
Please submit a Mountain Information Network report if you are heading to the backcountry!
Snowpack Summary
20 - 30 cm of snow has been redistributed by southwest winds and has formed soft wind slabs in lees at higher elevations. As winds switch to the north watch for reverse loading and cross-loading in the surface slab. On south-facing slopes this snow sits on a sun crust and in sheltered terrain, it sits over a layer of weak surface hoar.
Buried 40 to 60cm deep, a layer of surface hoar, crust, and faceted crystals is a layer of concern. Observations are limited in this region but this layer has already produced avalanches in the neighboring regions.
Snowpack depths at upper treeline is around 80 - 100 cm.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy skies. Northerly ridge wind 20 - 40 km/hr. Alpine temperatures, high of -8. Freezing levels valley bottom.
Thursday
Partly cloudy skies. Northerly ridge winds 20-30 km/h gusting to 40 km/hr. Alpine temperatures, high of -6. Freezing levels valley bottom.
Friday
Partly cloudy skies. Northwesterly ridge winds 40-60 km/h gusting to 80 – 90 km/h. Possible alpine inversion, temperatures reach a high of -2. Freezing levels valley bottom.
Saturday
Cloudy skies. Light flurries, 2 cm accumulation. Northeasterly ridge winds 30-50 km/h gusting to 40. Alpine temperatures, high of -6. Freezing levels valley bottom.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
Problems
Wind Slabs
20-30 cm of snow and varied wind directions have built winds on all aspects. Seek out wind-sheltered terrain where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 15th, 2022 4:00PM
