Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 18th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
isnowsell,
Avalanche Canada
Windslabs forming during the current cold, Northerly winds may take longer than usual to stabilize. Expect things to be especially reactive where new slab formation has occurred over surface hoar crystals and/or crusts.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
A few small wind slab releases have been reported over the weekend through the MIN. It appears the new, wind affected snow is not bonding very well to underlying hard surfaces.
If you head out into the mountains, please share your photos or observations on the Mountain Information Network. Your information helps us understand local conditions!
Snowpack Summary
Surface: Up to 20cm of recent snow continues to be redistributed by Northeasterly winds.
Upper snowpack: New snow has buried various wind-affected surfaces in the alpine. In sheltered terrain at lower elevations, the new snow overlays large surface hoar and a sun crust on solar aspects.
Mid snowpack: Generally bonding and well-settled.
Lower snowpack: Consists of numerous crusts and facets layers. A layer of note, buried in late November continues to show isolated reactivity in test profiles.
Snowpack depth at treeline is around 200 cm deep but decreases rapidly below 1500 m.
Weather Summary
Cold arctic air dominates the weather throughout BC this week. High uncertainty remains over the snowfall likelihood and amounts on Tuesday.
Sunday night
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. Trace amounts of snow. Temperatures -20 to -25 C and light to moderate Northeast winds in the alpine.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with a chance of flurries. Temperatures -15 to -20 C and generally light Northeasterly wind in the alpine.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow, up to 10 cm. Temperatures -15 to -20 C and generally light Northeasterly wind in the alpine.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with no precipitation. Temperatures -20 to -25 C and light East winds in the alpine.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Cold, northerly winds are redistributing the recent snow into potentially reactive windslabs. With cold temperatures windslabs will take longer then usual to stabilize and bond to the underlaying surfaces.
Be especially cautious at treeline elevations where the overlaying slab may sit on top of large feathery, surface hoar crystals.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 19th, 2022 4:00PM
