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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 8th, 2023–Dec 9th, 2023

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

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 recent avalanches have been reported. Avalanche activity will increase at higher elevations with the arrival of the incoming weather.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 25 cm of new snow will fall on a crust at all elevations. Surface hoar has been observed above this crust. This new snow could form wind slab on northerly aspects at treeline and above.

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

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Increasing cloud with 3 cm of new snow expected, southeast ridgetop wind 40 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature -4°C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 10 to 25 cm of new snow expected, southeast ridgetop wind 35 to 55 km/h, treeline temperature -3°C.

Sunday

Cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow expected above treeline, south ridgetop wind shifting to west 10 to 20 km/h, freezing level rising to 2000 m.

Monday

Mostly clear with no new snow expected,  north ridgetop wind 10 to 20 km/h, freezing level around 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • 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

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.