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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 8th, 2022–Dec 9th, 2022
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

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

With the new snow and strong wind avoid riding steep wind loaded slopes, or having them above you.

 

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches reported.

Please keep sharing your observations via the MIN; it helps strengthen our information gathering!

Snowpack Summary

Surface: a variety of recent snow, wind scoured, wind pressed, suncrusts, faceting old storm snow, and more. Upper-pack: on shaded terrain at all elevations large surface hoar (up to 10 mm) and generally unconsolidated snow. The upper snowpack consists of 20-50 cm of light snow.Mid-pack: 50 cm down (maybe 70 to 100 cm in deep wind loaded areas) is a late November crust, with soft facets above. This is likely the critical snowpack weakness. Professionals are concerned about the possibility avalanches still releasing at this deeper interface.

Total snow depths remain low for early December with 70 to 120 cm at treeline and up to 180 cm in the alpine. Much of the below treeline elevation band is below the threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

Thursday NightIncoming storm delivering around 10 cm overnight with strong southerly winds. Treeline temperature -5 to -10 C. Freezing level around 500m.

Friday

Another 5 to 10 cm of snow brings storm accumulations around 30 or 35 cm. Moderate to strong southwest wind. Freezing level steady around 500 m.

Saturday

Storm winding down with an additional 5 cm of snow, treeline temps -10 or colder, light to moderate southwest wind.

Sunday

Continued light snow with light to moderate southerly winds. A few degrees warmer than Friday.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs could step down to the mid-November weakness in the middle of the snowpack.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Soft facets on a crust about halfway down into the snowpack may become more sensitive to triggering with additional snow. Small avalanches could step down to this layer.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5