Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Dec 8 – 9, 2022Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

For the best riding seek out sheltered slopes with the deepest snowpack that hasn't been wind-affected.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    I don't expect significant new snow amounts and so am forecasting a standard wind slab problem: the typical pocket of cohesive snow most commonly found on the lee side of ridges or ribs. However, with the sugary-faceted-weak snowpack avalanches could step down to the middle of the snowpack.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new reports since the weekend. Keep sharing your observations via the MIN; it helps strengthen our information gathering.

Snowpack Summary

In deeper zones near ridges the snowpack is around 120 to 170 cm, which is low for early December. Alpine terrain in windy areas is scoured and bare.

Surface: surface hoar developing in sheltered areas.Upper-pack: recent storm snow above 40 to 70 cm of low density and faceting (aka weak) older snow.Mid-pack: November crust, with a layer of soft facets adjacent. This is the primary weak layer, found pretty much halfway down.Lower-pack: facets and depth hoar (aka not strong). Thin snow depths and cold temperatures mean the lower snowpack is weakening. Early season hazards are expected to stick around.

Weather Summary

Wednesday NightIncoming weather with snow starting near dawn. Moderate to strong southwest winds. Treeline temperature -5 to -10 C.

Thursday

Around 5 cm of snow. Moderate to strong southwest wind diminishing during the day. Treeline temperatures cooling to near -10 C.

Friday

Storm winding down with just a trace more snow, treeline temps -10 or colder, light to moderate southwest wind.

Saturday

Another round of light snow carried in on southerly wind. A few degrees warmer than Friday.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

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