Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 16th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for more wind slab development as winds strengthen from the west with new snow expected Saturday and Sunday.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported in the past few days.
As northerly winds are expected to continue to redistribute snow, natural and rider triggered wind slabs remain possible.
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
In exposed terrain at higher elevations, pockets of wind slab sit in wind loaded features while rocks may be exposed on others. Large surface hoar has been reported on the surface in sheltered areas, with a crust present on solar aspects. 40 to 70 cm of settling snow sits in the upper snowpack.
The mid and lower snowpack consist of crusts and facet layers that are an ongoing concern for this area. Reports suggest that these layers are stronger than what's found in other regions (e.g. the Duffy or Hurley). Recent test results show these layers are reactive, however there has been no significant avalanche activity reported yet.
In deeper zones near ridges, the snowpack is around 120 to 170 cm, which is low for early December. Alpine terrain in windy areas is scoured and bare.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Increasing cloud with moderate westerly winds. Freezing level below valley bottom.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with moderate to strong westerly winds. Freezing level below valley bottom. Alpine high of -8 °C. Isolated flurries for most areas, up to 5 cm in the Fraser Valley.
Sunday
10 cm possible overnight for terrain around Hope/Fraser Valley.
Partly cloudy with around 5 cm of snow expected. Light and variable winds. Freezing level below valley bottom. Alpine high of -15 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with moderate southwest winds. Alpine highs of -15°C. Isolated flurries possible.
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 are most reactive during their formation.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Sheltered slopes at lower elevations will offer the best riding.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Previous northerly winds have formed older more stubborn slabs in south facing terrain features.
Fresh snow on Saturday combined with westerly winds brings new potential for wind slab development on east facing slopes. Expect these new wind slabs to be small but more reactive.
With the sugary, faceted, and weak snowpack wind slabs could step down to the middle of the snowpack, resulting in larger than expected avalanches.
Aspects: North East, East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 17th, 2022 4:00PM
