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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 18th, 2024–Dec 19th, 2024

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

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Spearhead, Tantalus.

Continuously monitor conditions as you move through terrain.

Storm slabs will likely be more reactive at higher elevations.

Wet loose avalanches are possible as the freezing level rises.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Ski cutting at the end of the day on Tuesday produced small storm slab avalanches. We suspect a natural avalanche cycle took place overnight on December 17th during the peak of the storm.

If you are going out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN)

Snowpack Summary

By early morning on the 18th 30 to 60 cm of snow fell in less than 24 hours. This new snow was accompanied by strong variable wind.

A prominent crust from early December is down 80 to 140 cm at treeline. A layer of surface hoar may be found in sheltered areas at treeline at this depth.

The lower snowpack is well-settled with no layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy. 25 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with 10 to 25 cm of snow expected at treeline and above. 40 to 70 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with around 5 mm of rain expected. 30 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud with light rain. 30 to 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Don't let storm day fever lure you into consequential terrain.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Conservative terrain selection is critical; choose gentle, low consequence lines.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.