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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 17th, 2023–Dec 18th, 2023
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kakwa, McBride, McGregor, North Rockies, Renshaw, Robson, Sugarbowl.

Start with small slopes, and gather information before heading into committing terrain.

Continue to be wary of a buried layer of surface hoar.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, west of Prince George, there were reports of natural and rider triggered avalanches up to size 2. It seems that avalanches were occuring at all elevations, but that they were most prominent in wind affected terrain in upper treeline.

See this great Mountain Information Network (MIN) post for one group's observations from the day.

We expect that human triggered avalanches will remain possible on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

20-40 cm of recent snow is settling on old, hard surfaces, like windslabs or a frozen crust.

A concerning layer of surface hoar can be found 50-90 cm below the snow surface.

A crust with sugary facets beneath it can be found just above the ground. Average snowpack depths at treeline range from 65 to 100 cm.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy. Possible trace of snow expected. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -4°C with possible temperature inversion.

Monday

Cloudy. 2-5 cm of snow expected. Light southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -2°C with possible temperature inversion.

Tuesday

Cloudy. 5-20 cm of snow expected (highest amounts just east of Prince George). Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -1°C with possible temperature inversion.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 5-10 cm of snow expected. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -3°C with possible temperature inversion.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

Buried surface hoar remains concerningly reactive in snowpack tests. It is difficult to define the specific terrain where you could trigger this layer, due to a lack of snowpack and avalanche observations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3

Wind Slabs

Recent snow and wind likely formed wind slabs at all elevations.

This may be less of a problem at lower elevations where the recent storm was wetter.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5