Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 17th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
bchristie,
Avalanche Canada
Start with small slopes, and gather information before heading into committing terrain.
Continue to be wary of a buried layer of surface hoar.
Summary
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.
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
Expected Size
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
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 18th, 2023 4:00PM
