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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 6th, 2024–Dec 7th, 2024

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

Regions

South Coast, Powell River, Tantalus, North Shore, Sasquatch, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, Tetrahedron.

Avalanche conditions will deteriorate on Saturday as a wet storm brings rain to most elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been reported. At elevations with significant snow accumulation, natural storm slab avalanche activity can be expected. Loose wet avalanches are possible elsewhere.

If you are going out in the backcountry, please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network (MIN) report.

Snowpack Summary

An already warm, wet upper snowpack is being soaked by rain at most elevations. On the highest peaks, heavy snowfall may be accumulating over a rain-moistened surface.

A significant melt freeze crust is found 45 to 60 cm deep. It was reported to be a failure plan during snow tests near Mont Steele on Wednesday.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled.

Snow depths at treeline vary across the region. Currently, 140 cm is reported in Knuckles, 95 cm on the North Shore and 175 cm near Sky Pilot.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

20 to 40 mm of rain. 50 to 70 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +3 °C. Freezing level dropping from 2700 m to 2000 m.

Saturday

10 to 30 mm falling predominantly as rain or freezing rain at most elevations. In the alpine, it may fall as snow, up to 30 cm. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level dropping from 2000 m to 1300 m.

Sunday

5 to 25 cm of wet snow overnight then clearing to a mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Travel in alpine terrain is not recommended.
  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Keep in mind that the high density of wet avalanches can make them destructive.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.