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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 26th, 2022–Dec 27th, 2022

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

Regions

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

Watch for wind effect in recent storm snow. Avoid wind-loaded features, especially around ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.

Deeper weak layers remain a concern for step-down avalanches in wind-loaded terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No notable recent avalanches have been reported, however poor weather and road closures have limited observations.

In neighboring regions, several natural wet loose avalanches were reported to size 2.5, and storm slab avalanches were reported to size 2. If you head into the backcountry you will likely see evidence of an avalanche cycle from the weekend.

Please continue to post your observations and photos to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

By Tuesday morning 5 - 8 cm of additional snow brings storm snow totals to 20 - 30 cm. New snow has been redistributed by strong southerly winds into deeper pockets in the alpine. This weekend's warm temperatures and rain have impacted lower elevations, a melt-freeze crust has formed below 1400 m. The new snow covered a layer of weak and unconsolidated snow produced by the recent cold weather.

The winter snowpack is not as deep as usual, and along with a cold and dry early winter, the lower snowpack consists of weak, unconsolidated facets and depth hoar crystals. Snowpack depths average 50-200 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with scattered flurries start, 5-8 cm accumulation. Ridgeline low temperature -4 C. Southerly winds 30 km/hr. Freezing levels 600 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with scattered flurries, 5 cm accumulation. Ridgetop high temperature 0 C. Southerly wind 20 - 30 km/h weakening in the afternoon. Freezing levels rise to 1200m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with scattered flurries, trace accumulation. Ridgetop high temperature -2 C. Southwest wind 20 km/hr. Freezing level falling towards valley bottom.

Thursday

Cloudy with scattered flurries, trace accumulation. Ridgetop high temperature -4 C. Southwest wind 20 km/hr. Freezing levels valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.