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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 9th, 2023–Dec 10th, 2023

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

Regions

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

Use caution on slopes that are above threshold for avalanches

Such as gullies, chutes and slopes with smooth ground at high elevations

Early season hazards/challenging travel are a concern

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches have been reported recently.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow has likely formed wind slab on alpine features. In sheltered features it is possible that this new snow sits on surface hoar. At treeline and below the snow surface will likely be moist on all aspects.

In general the snowpack is very shallow. Only specific terrain features with smooth ground cover and gullies are above threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow expected at higher elevations, south ridgetop wind 10 to 30 km/h, freezing level rising to 2000 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow expected at higher elevations, south ridgetop wind 10 to 30 km/h, freezing level around 2000 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected, southeast ridgetop wind 10 to 20 km/h, freezing level falling to 1500 m.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow expected at higher elevations, south ridgetop wind 25 to 50 km/h, freezing level around 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
  • Avalanche danger is often elevated in alpine gullies where snow has accumulated.
  • Travelling on skis is hazardous due to a very shallow mountain snowpack.

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.