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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 30th, 2022–Dec 31st, 2022
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Powell River, Sea To Sky, Spearhead, Tantalus, Tetrahedron.

The likelihood of human-triggered avalanches will increase as the storm snow settles into a consolidated slab. Be mindful that small avalanches on the surface could step down to weak layers deep in the snowpack.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several large (size 2 to 2.5) slab avalanches were produced during explosive control work on Thursday. All in alpine terrain on a variety of aspects. A number of avalanches slid on deep persistent weak layers, with crowns of 1.5 to 2 m deep.

Please continue to post your observations and photos to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snowfall has been accompanied by moderate to strong southerly winds since Thursday. Below the new snow is a crust at higher elevations, while at lower elevations (below roughly 1600 m) the upper snowpack remains moist. Deeper in the snowpack a series of weak layers exist consisting of crusts, facets, and buried surface hoar.

Total snow depths are roughly 100 to 200 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Cloudy with snow, 10 to 20 cm. Moderate southwest winds. -5 C at treeline. Freezing levels 1000 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with light snow, 5 to 10 cm. Light southwest winds. -5 to -10 at treeline. Freezing levels 1000 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with periods of sun. No precipitation. Light southwest winds. -5 to -10 C at treeline. Freezing levels 700 m.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with no precipitation. Light southeast winds. -5 C at treeline. Freezing levels 800 m.

Sunday

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

The new snow has been accompanied by moderate to strong winds and potentially overlies a melt freeze crust. If triggered storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in very large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

A crust with weak, facetted snow above and below is buried by anywhere from 50 to 200 cm of snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5