Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 9th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada istorm, Avalanche Canada

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South Coast Inland, Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, Stein, Taseko.

For the best riding seek out sheltered slopes with the deepest snow that hasn't been wind-affected.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche reports. Keep sharing your observations via the MIN; it helps strengthen our information gathering.

Snowpack Summary

In deeper zones at 1900 m the snowpack is around 100-130 cm, which is low for middle of December, and it has a weak structure.

Surface: Boot top powder in deep areas. Same old crusts, facets, and rocks on wind scoured slopes.Upper-pack: Below the fresh snow is well developed surface hoar in sheltered areas. The uppper part of the snow pack is generally low density and faceting (aka weak).Mid-pack: maybe a crust or two, with a layer of soft facets above. This is likely the primary weak layer.Lower-pack: facets and depth hoar (aka not strong).

Weather Summary

Friday NightIncoming system bringing ~5 cm snow overnight with light to moderate southerly wind. Temperatures around -5 to -10 C at treeline and higher.

SaturdayA few more cm of snow. Steady temps around -5 C up in the mountains. Light to moderate southerly winds.

Sunday

Dry. Light wind from the northwest. Steady temps around -5 C and colder at treeline and higher. Mostly cloudy.

Monday

Clearing. Dry. Temps cooler at around -10 C at treeline. Light northerly wind.

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.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
  • Expect shallow snow cover that barely covers ground roughness.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Watch for pockets of cohesive wind slabs on the lee side of ridges or ribs. However, with the sugary-faceted-weak snowpack avalanches could step down to the middle of the snowpack.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 10th, 2022 4:00PM

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