Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 21st, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
bchristie,
Avalanche Canada
Choose mellow slopes and carefully assess conditions as you gain elevation.
Where new snow is over 20 cm deep, storm slabs are likely to avalanche under the weight of a human.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported before 4pm on Thursday.
If you do head into the backcountry please consider submitting observations and/or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Moderate snow and rainfall is arriving with strong southwest wind and cooling temperatures. Expect the wind to strip south and west facing ridges down to frozen crusts, and form deeper, more reactive slabs on north and east facing slopes.
In terrain where more than 20 cm of storm snow has accumulated, storm slabs are likely to avalanche under the weight of a human. Below treeline, you'll likely find dirt, or shallow, heavy, moist or wet snow.
The mid and lower snowpack is made up of a series of crusts and rounded grains. The snowpack is generally well consolidated.
Overall, the snow depth remains shallow, creating challenging travel conditions and hiding early season hazards just below the snow surface.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Cloudy. Light rain expected, 5 cm of snow above 1500 m, possibly more around Powell River. Moderate to strong south or southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 0 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 15-25 cm of new snow expected above 750 m. Moderate to strong west or southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline low around -4°C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. Trace of snow expected. . Treeline temperature around -5 °C. Freezing level around 500 m. Light southwest ridgetop wind
Sunday
Partly cloudy. No new snow expected. Treeline temperature around 1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1750-2250 m, possible temperature inversion. Strong south ridgetop wind.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
- Be careful to keep storm day fever from luring you out into bigger terrain features.
- Be cautious of buried obstacles especially below treeline.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Rider triggerable storm slabs are likely forming around treeline and above, where new snow is falling on terrain that was already at threshold for avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 22nd, 2023 4:00PM
