Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Dec 23 – 24, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Carefully assess conditions as you gain elevation. In wind exposed terrain above the freezing line, wind slabs are possible.

At low elevations, expect the snowpack to be moist.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Recent wind slabs developed during a warm period and with the introduction of cooler weather are expected to have bonded reasonably well to the old surfaces.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported before Friday at 4pm.

Small, naturally triggered wet loose avalanches have been observed in steep terrain over the past few days, as well as a couple small, explosive triggered storm slabs in steep alpine terrain.

If you're heading out in the backcountry, please consider sharing any observations on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Mixed precipitation continues as the freezing level falls with moderate wind in some areas. This covers old wind slabs and crusts in the alpine, and wet surfaces at treeline and below.

At treeline and above two layers of note are buried around 30 to 70 cm deep. Both consist of a crust that tapers at higher elevations, and surface hoar in sheltered areas.

Overall, the snow depth remains shallow, with average treeline snowpack depths between 70 and 100 cm.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy. A trace of new snow expected above 500 m. Moderate east ridgetop wind. Treeline low around -5°C.

Saturday

Partly cloudy. A trace of snow expected. . Treeline temperature around -5 °C. Freezing level around 500 m. Light southwest ridgetop wind

Sunday

Periods of clearing. No new snow expected. Treeline temperature around 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1000 m, possible temperature inversion. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind.

Monday

Mostly cloudy. A trace of new snow expected above. Freezing level around 1200 m. Strong south ridgetop wind. Treeline low around -1°C.

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.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.

Regions covered