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Avalanche Forecast

Dec 13th, 2020–Dec 14th, 2020
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
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: Northwest Coastal.

  

There have been reports of large explosive triggered avalanches failing on sugary facets near the ground during this past week. Cornice falls or smaller avalanches in motion may have the potential to step-down to these deeper layers, producing large, destructive avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

  

SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm. / Moderate, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -10 / Freezing level valley bottom.

MONDAY: Snow; 5-10 cm. / Moderate, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -8 / Freezing level valley bottom.

TUESDAY: Snow; 15-25 cm. / Strong, south ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -7 / Freezing level 300 m.

WEDNESDAY: Snow; 5-10 cm. / Strong, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -6 / Freezing level 500 m.

Avalanche Summary

A few very large, explosive triggered avalanches up to size 3 near Bell II this week provided evidence that a buried crust near the bottom of the snowpack combined with weak, sugary facets are reactive to large loads. This problematic snowpack structure may be more prevalent in the northern half of the region.

Cornice falls or smaller avalanches in motion may have the potential to step-down to these deeper layers, producing very large and destructive avalanches.

Data in this region is very sparse. Please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network. 

Snowpack Summary

  

Recent winds from a variety of directions have reverse loaded some slopes, creating wind slabs on typically windward features at treeline and above. 

The storm earlier in the week brought over a metre of snow accompanied by strong southwest winds to alpine elevations. Treeline elevations saw quite the mix of snow and rain depending on where the freezing level sat (mostly around 1200 m. during the storm). Below treeline the snowpack has likely refrozen into a firm crust. Cornices have likely grown large along ridgelines. 

The early December crust is now down 100 cm plus in the alpine and just below the surface at treeline. The early November crust is even deeper in the alpine and down 70-120 cm at treeline. Sugary facets near the bottom of the snowpack have produced large full depth avalanches pre-storm and during the storm. The extent of this problematic snowpack structure in the region is not well-known, but it likely exists in colder, shallower snowpack areas.

Snowpack depths are highly variable across aspects and elevations as a product of wind scouring, above-freezing temperatures, and rain. Snow has melted fast at lower elevations, and snowpack depths have seen rapid settlement.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Cornice falls or smaller avalanches in motion may have the potential to step-down to these deeper layers, producing large, destructive avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3.5

Wind Slabs

  

Recent winds from a variety of directions have reverse loaded some slopes, creating wind slabs on typically windward features at treeline and above. 

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2