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 14th, 2023–Dec 15th, 2023

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

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

Assess for wind slab on exposed features in the alpine and upper treeline. Small avalanches are possible in wind loaded features.

Travel is still challenging due to a shallow snowpack,

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches have been reported recently.

If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of recent snow has buried a hard melt-freeze crust. Southerly wind will likely redistribute this new snow into wind slab at upper elevations.

Another crust with surface hoar above it can be found down 30 to 40 cm. We are not concerned about this layer at this time.

The snowpack is generally still very shallow with many early-season hazards and large areas of terrain below avalanche threshold. Only specific terrain features with smooth ground cover, gullies, or established avalanche paths are above the threshold for avalanches.

 

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Increasing cloud with up to 5 cm of new snow expected, southeast ridgetop wind 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -1°C.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow expected, south ridgetop wind 40 to 60 km/h, freezing level rising to 1700 m.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected, variable ridgetop wind 5 to 15 km/h, freezing level around 1800 m.

Sunday

Mostly sunny with no new snow expected, south ridgetop wind 5 to 15 km/h, freezing level rising to 2500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
  • Avalanche danger is often elevated in alpine gullies where snow has accumulated.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
  • Travelling on skis is hazardous due to a very shallow mountain snowpack.

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.