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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 21st, 2022–Dec 22nd, 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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Badshot-Battle, Blue River, Central Selkirk, Clemina, Esplanade, Goat, Gold, Jordan, North Columbia, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Premier, South Columbia, West Purcell, Whatshan.

A weak snowpack combined with bitterly cold weather means that conservative terrain travel is needed.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Riders triggered a few small storm and wind slabs within the top 10 to 20 cm of snow, generally in wind affected terrain.

The latest persistent slab activity occurred December 18. Activity may remain quiet during this cold spell but the buried weak layers described in the Snowpack Summary could become touchy again with warmer weather and new snow that is forecast for the coming weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Around 5 to 15 cm of snow overlies a widespread weak layer of surface hoar crystals and a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes. The snow surface is wind affected in exposed terrain features from northerly wind, with soft and faceted snow found in sheltered areas.

Two problematic layers exist around 40 and 70 cm deep, consisting of surface hoar, faceted grains, and/or a melt-freeze crust. Avalanches have been most prominent between 1700 and 2200 m on all aspects. Read our forecaster blog for managing a persistent slab problem.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Clear skies with no precipitation, 10 km/h northeast wind, treeline temperature -27 °C.

Thursday

Clear skies with late afternoon clouds and no precipitation, 10 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -25 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 15 cm, 20 to 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures -17 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 20 cm, 20 to 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
  • Avoid making assumptions about this layer based on the presence of aggressive tracks on adjacent slopes

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

Two weak layers are buried at a prime depth for human triggering within the top metre of the snowpack. Most avalanches to date have released between 1700 and 2200 m.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3