Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Dec 1 – 2, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Carefully assess how the recent snow is bonding to any underlying crusts. Keep in mind it is still early in the season and numerous hazards exist just below the snow surface.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Recent winds have formed cohesive wind slabs that may sit on a hard crust.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3

    A weak layer of sugary facets overlying a crust has been reported near the base of the snowpack. Observations of this layer have been limited, but it is most likely to be problematic in steep, wind-loaded alpine terrain.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Several small (size 1) wind slab avalanches in alpine terrain have been reported since Wednesday morning.

Observations are limited at this time of year. If you do head out, do so with a cautious and investigative mindset, and consider submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

As much as 40 cm of recent snow now sits on top of a crust, that varies in thickness and strength. Surfaces in the alpine have been heavily affected by recent winds. The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated with no current layers of concern.

Observations are minimal, but a problematic combination of crusts and facets at the base of the snowpack has been reported in upper alpine terrain.

Snowpack depths vary from 50 to 150 cm at the treeline. The deepest snowpacks are found in the more western/coastal regions.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy with trace amounts of snow, southeast alpine wind 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow, southeast alpine wind 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 30 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow, south alpine wind 50 to 80 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Regions covered