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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 28th, 2022–Dec 29th, 2022

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, human triggered possible.

Regions

Cariboos, North Rockies, McBride, Quesnel, Sugarbowl, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Tumbler.

There is a Special Public Avalanche Warning in effect for this region. Learn more: avalanche.ca/spaw

Slabs are now primed to release and smaller avalanches may trigger buried weak layers producing large avalanches. It's a good time to play it conservatively.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

After the storm, numerous natural avalanches were reported on planar and unsupported features. It is likely that avalanches occurred at higher elevations, as conditions were prone to a natural avalanche cycle. Where avalanches did occur naturally, slabs should be expected to be primed for triggering.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Between 30 and 60 cm of moist dense storm snow is resting on low-density weak facets grains, which gives the snowpack an upside-down feeling. This recent snow may not bond well to previous surfaces that include small surface hoar crystals, sugary faceted grains, and hard wind-packed snow.

At upper elevations, recent wind slabs have developed from moderate to strong southerly winds. A very thin and breakable crust may be present at upper elevations due to warmer temperatures. At lower elevations, a rain crust can be found. A buried weak layer from November lies 60 to 110 cm below the surface. Smaller avalanches may step down to this deeper layer if heavier loads are introduced.

The snowpack is still fairly thin and faceted, with roughly 140 to 160 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night, precipitation will weaken behind the cold front. A cooler and drier air mass will affect the region for the following days.

Wednesday night

Mainly cloudy, isolated flurries, westerly ridge winds up to 50 km/h, treeline temperatures around -12 °C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud, isolated flurries, southwesterly ridge winds up to 40 km/h, treeline temperatures around -9 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with sunny periods, light snow up to 2 cm, southwesterly ridge winds at 30 km/h, treeline temperatures -8 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy, light snow up to 2 cm, southwesterly ridge winds increasing to 45 km/, treeline temperatures around -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully monitor the bond between the new snow and old surface.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeply buried weak layers resulting in very large avalanches.
  • Avoid rock outcroppings, convexities, and anywhere the snowpack is thin and/or variable.

Problems

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.