Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 11th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada zryan, Avalanche Canada

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South Coast Inland, Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, Stein, Taseko.

For the best riding seek out sheltered slopes where the recent storm snow hasn't been wind-affected.

Watch for changes in the upper snowpack if the wind picks up or the sun comes out.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

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

Snowpack Summary

In deeper zones at 1900 m the snowpack is around 100-130 cm, which is low for middle of December, and it has a weak structure.

Surface: Boot top powder in deep areas. Same old crusts, facets, and rocks on wind scoured slopes. Wind slab pockets lee of ridges.Upper-pack: Below the fresh snow is well developed surface hoar in sheltered areas. The upper part of the snow pack is generally low density and faceting (aka weak).Mid-pack: maybe a crust or two, with a layer of soft facets above. This is likely the primary weak layer.Lower-pack: facets and depth hoar (aka not strong).

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Clear periods. Alpine temperatures reach a low of -10 °C. Ridge wind northeast 15 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Monday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -4 °C. Ridge wind light to 15 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Tuesday

Cloudy with sunny periods. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -2 °C. Ridge wind north 10 km/h. Freezing level rising to 1500 metres.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 1 °C. Ridge wind north 15 km/h. Freezing level rising to 1800 metres.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • 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.
  • Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
  • Expect shallow snow cover that barely covers ground roughness.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Watch for pockets of cohesive wind slabs on the lee side of ridges or ribs. If northerly outflow winds pick up on Monday, fresh wind slabs may form anywhere there is powdery, dry snow available to be transported.

With the sugary, faceted, and weak snowpack wind slabs could step down to the middle of the snowpack, resulting in larger than expected avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Dec 12th, 2022 4:00PM

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