Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 22nd, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs, Loose Dry and Persistent Slabs.
ross campbell,
Avalanche control is planned for Wednesday night into Thursday. See Drive BC for more info.
A wise guide once said, "with great powder comes great responsibility". Currently, we have great powder, please recreate responsibly.
Summary
Weather Forecast
December is delivering with another 30cm's of storm snow to fall by Thursday morning! Temperatures will rise slightly to near -8c and the winds should be moderate gusting strong overnight Wednesday into Thursday. Flurries, very cold temperatures, and light to moderate winds are forecasted for the rest of the week.
Snowpack Summary
30cm of new snow is forecast to fall by Thursday morning, plus we received another 30cm last Saturday, bringing our total new snow in December to nearly 200cm! The December 1st crust is buried approximately 80cm-150cm, with weaker sugary snow directly above and below. Beneath the Dec 1st crust facet combo, the snowpack is dense and strong.
Avalanche Summary
Strong winds, new snow, and warming temperatures triggered a Natural Avalanche Cycle on Wednesday morning. Natural Avalanche activity is expected to decline slightly Wednesday afternoon, then pickup again Wednesday night into Thursday afternoon. Human triggered avalanches are likely in steep unsupported terrain.
Confidence
Problems
Storm Slabs
December delivers again with another 30cm of new snow forecast by Thursday morning. All this new snow combined with strong winds and a slight rise in temperature will form soft slabs in many locations, and most problematic in the Alpine and at TL.
- If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created slabs over weaker snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Significant amounts of recent new snow will ensure sluffing/loose dry avalanches in steep unsupported terrain features. Be aware of terrain traps (gullies, tree wells, etc), where even a small avalanche could have dire consequences.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep, confined or exposed terrain.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small slab avalanches may have severe consequences.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
The Dec 1st crust is buried by ~130 cm of snow and is of most concern at treeline elevation. Small facets (sugary snow) has been forming above and below the crust. It has been unreactive recently, but with increasing load it could wake up.
- If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 23rd, 2021 4:00PM
