Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 22nd, 2023–Dec 23rd, 2023

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Columbia, Shuswap, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, North Okanagan, Whatshan.

Watch for signs of instability as you move through terrain.

Surface hoar layers may still be reactive to rider traffic.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Ski cuts and explosives have produced small wind and storm slabs in the past few days in the north of the region. No persistent slab avalanches have been reported in this region recently but they continue to be reported in adjacent regions.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

15 to 30 cm of recent snow has been redistributed into wind slab on north and east aspects near ridge crests. This may have buried a layer of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain. Below treeline a new crust has likely formed on the surface.

A crust formed during the early December rain event exists down roughly 30 to 60 cm from the surface and is highly variable in strength and thickness throughout the terrain. A concerning layer of buried surface hoar is 60 to 100 cm below the surface at treeline and above.

Lower snowpack is generally facetted, with no particular layers of concern currently. The height of snow at treeline is roughly 80 to 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Partially cloudy with a few centimeters of new snow possible, northwest alpine wind 20 to 30 km/h, freezing level falling to valley bottom.

Saturday

Mostly sunny with no new snow expected, northwest alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -7°C.

Sunday

Mostly sunny with no new snow expected, southeast alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -7°C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected, southeast alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -7°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

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.