Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 5th, 2022–Dec 6th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
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.

Regions

South Coast Inland, Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit, Stein.

Carefully evaluate each slope for wind slabs before you commit to it.

Small avalanches are possible on isolated lee alpine features.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A wind slab was accidentally triggered by a skier Sunday on a southeast slope of Nak Peak. This small avalanche (size 1) was 30 cm deep and ran 60 m. Other evidence of natural wind slab avalanches on small cross-loaded features was reported in the same area. Debris from natural slab avalanches running on the ground or on smooth rock features have been seen over the weekend. Keep sharing your observations via the MIN; it helps strengthen our information gathering.

Snowpack Summary

Wind-affected snow is found in openings at treeline and above. Cold temperatures promoted the development of surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas at treeline. The upper snowpack consists of 20 to 75 cm of snow, which is now covering a melt-freeze crust. The mid-snowpack is consolidated with a series of crust layers and weak faceted crystals underneath. Near the ground, the snow lacks cohesion due to early-season cold temperatures and shallow snowpack. At 1750 m, the snowpack depth is around 130 to 165 cm.

Early season hazards such as rocks and stumps still lurk below the surface. Below treeline is still below the threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

An arctic ridge of high pressure will continue to be the main attraction. Conditions will be dry until the next pulse of snow system, expected Wednesday night through Thursday.

Monday Night

Mainly cloudy. No accumulation. Light northwesterly ridge wind gusting to 40 km/h. Low of- 10 C at treeline.

Tuesday

Cloudy. Isolated flurries. 2-5 cm. Westerly ridge wind up to 60 km/h. High of -6 C at treeline.

Wednesday

Cloudy. Isolated flurries. Moderate southwest ridge wind. High of -6 C at treeline.

Thursday

Snow 5 cm. Moderate southwest ridge wind gusting 50 km/h. High of -6 C at treeline.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Avoid rock outcroppings, convexities, and anywhere the snowpack is thin and/or variable.

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.