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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 19th, 2024–Dec 20th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Cariboos, Blue River, Clearwater, McBride, Premier, Quesnel, Clemina.

Continued light snowfall and moderate to strong southwest wind will keep wind slabs as the primary concern.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, a small 20 cm deep slab was triggered by a snowmobile south of Valemount. It failed on surface hoar from mid-December that was preserved on a northwest aspect in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

30 to 50 cm of snow has fallen this week. At upper elevations, southwesterly wind has redistributed snow to lee features.

A surface hoar layer is now buried 40 to 70 cm down. This layer is spotty and hard to find. It is mostly not triggerable, but in very sheltered treeline and alpine features, it may be possible. Where there isn't surface hoar, there is likely a crust.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of snow. 35 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

Mainly cloudy. 35 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with 5 to 10 cm of snow ending in the morning. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud, clearing. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.