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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 11th, 2022–Dec 12th, 2022

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

Regions

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

Before pushing into bigger terrain remember recent wind slabs may still need time to settle and stabilize at higher elevations. Exercise caution around ridges and rib features, where wind slabs are more likely to be reactive.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported. Evidence of a natural avalanche cycle during the recent stormy weather has been reported.

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

Up to 60cm of new snow arrived with strong southerly winds between last Thursday and Sunday afternoon. With the current trend of generally mild and calm weather, the upper snowpack will continue to settle and stabilize. A crust exists on the ground, in southerly aspects, and at lower elevations. Snowpack depths generally range from 90-140 cm at treeline.

With the recent snowfall lower elevations are at or approaching their threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Clearing skies, with light northerly winds and temperatures as low as -6 C in the alpine. Freezing levels around 500 m.

Monday

Mostly clear skies with light northerly winds and temperatures slightly below freezing in the alpine. Freezing levels will generally range from 500-800 m.

Tuesday

Mainly cloudy with no precipitation. Light winds and temperatures just below freezing in the alpine. Freezing levels remain around 500-800 m.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and could, with no precipitation. Alpine winds remain light. Freezing levels rise significantly, well into the alpine.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • The new snow may require another day to settle and stabilize.
  • 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.