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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 27th, 2022–Dec 28th, 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.

Warming then cooling temperatures have affected the snowpack. New slabs may produce rider-triggered avalanches.

The top layer of snow is "upside down." If you start to see evidence of reactivity, consider the danger rating higher.

Assess conditions as you travel and avoid overhead hazards.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Few to no avalanche reports throughout our region. However, it is expected that Monday's warm temperatures and precipitation which fell as rain and freezing rain in many areas created the conditions for a cycle of natural avalanches. Where it was not slid naturally, slobs should be expected to be primed for triggering.

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

Snowpack Summary

Monday's warm temperatures have likely promoted slab development in the top layer of the snowpack. Precipitation that likely fell as rain could have created a crust with cooling temperatures that started Monday night. Previous to Monday, this past weekend's snowfall totaled between 35 and 55 cm. Wind slabs have developed in the alpine and at treeline from moderate to strong southeast and southwest winds.

New snow may not bond well to previous surfaces that include small surface hoar crystals, sugary faceted grains, and hard wind-packed snow. A buried weak layer from November lies 60 to 110 cm below the surface and avalanches may slide on this layer if heavier loads are introduced by smaller avalanches running on top of them or heavy wet snow or rain.

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

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy, up to 4 cm accumulation, 15 km/h west wind, treeline temperatures around -8 to -5 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with the chance of sun, trace accumulation, 15 to 20 km/h west wind, treeline temperatures -10 to -7 °C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud, trace to 4 cm accumulation, 10 to 30 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures -8 to -12 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with sunny periods, 2 cm accumulation, 15 to 25 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures -8 °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.
  • Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeply buried weak layers resulting in very large avalanches.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.

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.