Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 7th, 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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Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, 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 early December. Windy areas, for example near Joffre Lakes, the alpine terrain is wind scoured and bare.

Surface: well developed surface hoar in sheltered areas.Upper-pack: low density and faceting (aka weak).Mid-pack: maybe a crust or two, with a layer of soft facets adjacent. This is likely the primary weak layer.Lower-pack: facets and depth hoar (aka not strong). Thin snow depths and cold temperatures mean the lower snowpack is weakening. Early season hazards are expected to stick around.

Weather Summary

Wednesday NightIncoming weather delivering up to 5 cm overnight with moderate to strong southerly winds. Treeline temperature -5 to -10 C.

Thursday

Another 5 cm of snow brings storm accumulations around 10 cm. Moderate southwest wind.

Friday

Storm winding down with just a trace more snow, treeline temps -10 or colder, light to moderate southwest wind.

Saturday

Continued light snow with light to moderate southerly winds. A few degrees warmer than Friday.

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

I don't expect significant new snow amounts and so am forecasting a standard wind slab problem: the typical pocket of cohesive snow most commonly found on the lee side of ridges or ribs. However, with the sugary-faceted-weak snowpack avalanches could step down and bring more of the snowpack into play.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 8th, 2022 4:00PM

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