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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 15th, 2024–Dec 16th, 2024

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

Regions

South Coast, Powell River, Tantalus, North Shore, Sasquatch, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, Tetrahedron, Harrison-Fraser.

Carefully analyze the snowpack and plan to make terrain decisions with a conservative approach.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

At the time of publishing this forecast, no new avalanches have been observed or reported.

A natural avalanche cycle is expected to have occurred during Saturdays storm.

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

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine, variable depths of 50 to 70 cm of settling storm snow overlies a firm crust at treeline. On north through east-facing slopes in the alpine that are protected from the wind are likely to have buried surface hoar which sits over moist snow and is estimated to be found down 50 cm.

Strong south winds have likely scoured snow accumulation from exposed alpine features, redistributing it to North aspect terrain. Expect windslab depths to vary and in specific terrain features potentially deeper than 100 cm.

Snow depths at treeline vary significantly across the region, ranging from 65 cm to 200 cm and taper substantially at elevations below 1000 m .

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Flurries 1cm. 20 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Monday

Snow 5 to 10 cm. 30 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Tuesday

Snow 1 to 5 cm. 20 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Wednesday

Rain and snow 20 to 80 mm. 60 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

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.

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.