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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 30th, 2022–Dec 1st, 2022

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

Regions

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

The strong winds that accompanied yesterday's sea-level snowfall have wind-sculpted upper elevations in many areas. If you do venture up high, use ribs and high terrain to avoid pockets of wind slab.

Enjoy the low-elevation snow, but remember what hazards lurk below it!

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Observations are limited at this time of year. No new avalanches have been reported or observed. If you do head into the backcountry consider submitting a MIN report!

Snowpack Summary

Tuesday night's storm brought 20-40 cm of new snow to higher elevations accompanied by strong to extreme southerly winds. Tapering snowfall amounts at lower elevations blanketed the island with up to 30 cm of new snow accumulation down to sea level.

In open alpine and treeline areas, strong winds are expected to have created deep pockets of wind slab in lee areas and stripped windward areas back down to the ground or an icy crust.

.An average of 60-80 cm of snow can be found in the alpine, with wind-loaded areas up to 150 cm.

Most areas below treeline have yet to overcome ground roughness and remain below the threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Partially cloudy, isolated flurries. Freezing level drops to valley bottom, low temperature of -12 C at treeline. 10-25 km/h northeast winds.

Thursday

Mainly clear, but some isolated lingering flurries. High clouds increase in the afternoon. Freezing level remaining at valley bottom. A daytime high temperature of -5 C at treeline. 5-15 km/h northerly winds.

Friday

Cloudy with snowfall, 5-15 cm accumulation. Freezing level rises to 300m. A daytime high temperature of -3 C at treeline. 30-70 km/h southerly winds.

Saturday

Cloudy with snowfall in the morning, clearing into the afternoon. 1-5 cm of accumulation expected. Freezing level rises to 800m. A daytime high temperature of +1 C at treeline. 20-35 km/h easterly winds.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

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.