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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 28th, 2024–Dec 29th, 2024
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
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
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
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: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Sea To Sky, Spearhead, Tantalus.

Seek out low-angle, sheltered terrain for good riding.

Wind slabs could step down to buried crusts producing very large avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday a natural size 2 storm slab avalanche was reported, as well as numerous loose dry up to size 1.5.

Thursday and Friday, numerous natural and skier-triggered avalanches up to size 3 were reported. Size 2 storm slabs were observed on steep wind-loaded features, corniced ridgelines, and below cliffs. Size 3 avalanches reportedly stepped down to 100 or 150 cm deep on north-facing slopes, where a weak layer described in the snowpack summary exists.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 20 cm of new snow overlies 60 to 80 cm of recent snow which sits on a melt-freeze crust from mid-December. Recent snow has been transported by moderate to strong south and southwesterly winds, building reactive cornices and slabs on lee slopes.

Another buried crust with facets from early December is buried 90 to 160 cm deep. A layer of surface hoar may also be present at this same depth. This weak layer could produce very large avalanches like the one described in the avalanche summary.

Expect moist surface snow below treeline.

For an update about local snow conditions check out this blog.

Weather Summary

Saturday NightCloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Sunday

Partly cloudy with trace precipitation. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

MondayMostly cloudy with 5 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 750 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with trace precipitation. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

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.
  • Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • It's critical to stay disciplined and stick to gentle, low consequence terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for convex rolls, corniced ridgelines, and cross-loaded slopes, where the wind has transported snow into deeper deposits.

Avalanches could fail or step down to buried crusts in the snowpack, creating very large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3