Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 18th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
lbaker,
Avalanche Canada
This week's cold temperatures coupled with the shortest daylight hours of the year can make any sort of incident (even broken equipment) an epic. If you decide to brave the cold temps make sure you are prepared; bring lots of warm layers and a headlamp.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday an avalanche was reported via MIN from the Barkerville area. The avalanche looked to be a size 1.5 and be at least 24 hours old.
On Friday a glide slab avalanche, size 1.5, was observed in the northern Cariboos. The avalanche initiated on a rock slab at treeline. Numerous other glide cracks were observed in the area. Glide slab avalanches are very difficult to forecast so it is best to avoid traveling under glide cracks.
Please continue to share any observations of photos on the Mountain Information Network!
Snowpack Summary
Cold temperatures are faceting the upper snowpack. 5 - 10 cm of snow is being redistributed by strong northeasterly winds into fresh winds slabs in exposed areas. In sheltered areas, new snow sits on a weak layer of preserved, 5 mm, surface hoar Distribution of the weak layer is uncertain.
40-80 cm of snow continues to settle over a generally weak sugary, facetted mid and lower snowpack. Snowpack depths are highly variable, ranging from 80-180 cm in the alpine. Below treeline the snowpack is thin and sugary making it a challenge to access terrain in many areas without damaging your sled or skis.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Clear skies. Winds at 1500m will be moderate northeasterly 30 to 40 km/h tonight. Expected temperatures near -30 C this afternoon and tonight.
Monday
Mainly sunny. Temperatures at 1500-1800 m will hover near -28 C. Moderate northeasterly winds continue throughout the day.
Tuesday
Sunny. At 1500m temperature will be around -25 C and winds are moderate southerly, gusting to 40 km/h.
Wednesday
Sunny with cloudy periods. Colder, drier. At 1500 m winds are easterly, 20 km/h, and temperatures are around -27 C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious near rock outcroppings, on steep convexities and anywhere the snowpack feels thinner than average.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
- Carefully evaluate bigger terrain features on an individual basis before committing to them.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong northeasterly winds are redistributing available snow into fresh winds slabs on lee features and stripping windward areas. Watch for pockets of cohesive snow in exposed terrain at upper elevations, around ridges and convex rolls.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 19th, 2022 4:00PM
