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 3rd, 2022–Dec 4th, 2022

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

Regions

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Powell River, Spearhead, Tantalus, Birkenhead.

Uncertainty remains around the impact of warming temperatures on Sunday.

Seek out slopes that haven't been impacted by wind or warming temperatures.

 

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Since the last storm earlier this week, there have been some reports of natural avalanches (size 1 to 2) on alpine features. Off Horstman Glacier, a small slab was naturally triggered on a northeast alpine slope.

There are limited reports and observations from this region. If you head into the backcountry this weekend, please submit a MIN report!

Snowpack Summary

New snow (5 cm) has covered the lingering wind slabs formed with the latest storm snow (40 cm+) and strong winds. Sheltered areas continue to hold unconsolidated snow that is faceting due to cold temperatures. Recent snow sits on a variety of wind-affected surfaces. Notably, stubborn wind slabs overlie a crust found 70 cm deep up to 2200 meters. Faceting has been observed between the wind slab and the crust. Professionals are concerned about the possibility of wind slabs fracturing at this deeper interface.

The snowpack sits around 70 to 120 cm at the treeline and up to 180 cm in the alpine. Much of the below treeline elevation band is below the threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

An arctic ridge of high pressure will become the main attraction for the next few days. Inverted temperatures are due to the above-freezing layer. Sunny and dry conditions will last up to Tuesday night.

Saturday Night

Clear sky. No precipitation. Moderate northeast ridge wind. Low of 0 C at treeline. Freezing level rise to 2000 m. Strong alpine temperature inversion.

Sunday

Mainly sunny. No precipitation. Light easterly ridge winds. High of -5 C at treeline and 0C in the alpine. Freezing level around 1000 m. Alpine temperature inversion.

Monday

Increasing cloudiness in the afternoon. No precipitation. Light northerly ridge winds. High -5 C. Freezing level around 800 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy. Isolated flurries. Light westerly ridge winds. High -8 C. Freezing level around at valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.

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.