Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 18th, 2022–Dec 19th, 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: North Shore, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, South Coast.

Recent new wind slabs will remain reactive longer than usual as they form overtop of feathery surface hoar crystals that sit on a crust.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the past few days.

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

On the surface, 5 to 20 cm of light, low density snow has buried a layer of surface hoar, sitting over a widespread melt-freeze crust.

Below the surface, the snowpack generally consists of layers of well-bonded snow with various melt-freeze crusts. No significant avalanche concerns at the moment.

At 1000 m the snowpack depth generally is 100 to 150 cm. In much of the terrain below treeline, snow heights are still below the threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

Cold arctic air dominates the weather throughout BC this week. High uncertainty remains over the potential for snowfall starting Tuesday.

Sunday Night

Clearing skies. No precipitation. Temperatures -15 to -20 C and generally light Northeasterly winds at treeline.

Monday

Mostly sunny. No precipitation. Temperatures -15 to -25 C and generally light Northeasterly winds at treeline.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud, with the potential for up to 10 cm of snow. Temperatures -15 to -20 C and generally light Northeasterly winds at treeline.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny. No precipitation. Temperatures -15 to -20 C and moderate Northeasterly winds at treeline.

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.
Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

The recent low density snow is available for transport with the forecast Northeasterly winds. Wind slabs are developing over a layer primed for avalanches, consisting of feathery surface hoar crystals on top of a hard crust.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2