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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 19th, 2022–Dec 20th, 2022

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

Regions

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

Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.

With low-density snow, be aware of the potential for small loose avalanches in steep terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported recently. Keep sharing your observations by submitting a MIN report! They are especially helpful in the early season when snowpack information can be limited.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is thin and averages 100 cm deep at treeline. The surface is now a variety of crusts, heavily wind-affected snow in exposed areas and drier snow on upper north slopes.

Down approximately 70 cm, a buried layer contains decomposed surface hoar crystals. There is also a layer of weak, sugary crystals near the base of the snowpack. Neither of these layers has produced avalanches, but uncertainty remains on the effect of cold temperatures on these deep layers.

Weather Summary

A weather system from the Pacific will spread moderate snowfalls to this region Tuesday. A return to drier conditions with cold temperatures and strong outflow winds continues for the rest of the week.

Monday night

Snow 10-15 cm. Westerly wind at 20-30 km/h at ridge tops. Low of -15 ˚C.

Tuesday

Snow 5 cm. Westerly wind at 40-50 km/h at ridge tops. High of -12 ˚C.

Wednesday

Partly cloudy. No precipitation. Northwest wind at 30 km/h at ridge tops. High of -15 ˚C.

Thursday

Cloudy. No precipitation. Southeasterly wind at 40 km/h at ridge tops. High of -12 ˚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.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

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.