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Avalanche Forecast

Dec 17th, 2023–Dec 18th, 2023
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: East Island, North Island, South Island, Vancouver Island, West Island.

Warming temperatures may create conditions for small human-triggered wet avalanches. Caution when travelling near or around terrain traps.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There have been no reported avalanches in our region.

Please help out your backcountry community by submitting a MIN report if you head out to the backcountry.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack has rapidly diminished over the past 2 days due to warm temperatures and rain. Uncompacted areas are transitioning to isothermal conditions to the ground, and the crusts within the snowpack are deteriorating. Snow depth varies significantly based on the aspect, ranging from 50-100 cm and continue decreasing rapidly below the 1000-meter elevation.

The snowpack has yet to cover many early-season hazards and large areas of terrain are below avalanche threshold. Only specific terrain features with smooth ground cover, gullies, or established avalanche paths are above the threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy, small amounts of precipitation, ridgetop wind south 5 to 15 km/h, freezing level 3000 m.

Monday

Mostly cloudy, 10-30 mm of precipitation, ridgetop wind south 50 to 60 km/h, freezing levels around 2500 m. 

Tuesday

Cloudy, 15 to 20 mm of precipitation, ridgetop wind south 25 km/h, freezing levels 2000 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy, 5 to 10 mm of precipitation, ridgetop wind south 5 to 15 km/h, freezing levels 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Rain and warm temperatures may create the conditions for human and natural triggered avalanches.

Exercise caution near terrain traps; a small avalanche could pose risks, pushing riders into features like cliffs or gullies.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5