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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 22nd, 2022–Dec 23rd, 2022

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

Regions

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

A shift to warm and stormy conditions begins. Look for isolated pockets of wind slabs before committing to steep terrain.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

We haven't received any notable avalanche reports during this cold spell. Looking forward, avalanche activity could start to increase on the weekend once we see more snow, wind, and warmer air.

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

Snowpack Summary

Southwest wind and light amounts of new snow could form isolated pockets of wind slab in steep, lee terrain features. Wind affected snow covers the snowpack in exposed alpine and treeline terrain, with soft snow found in sheltered areas. The snowpack is still fairly thin and faceted, with roughly 120 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Increasing clouds with no precipitation, 20 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -20 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, 20 to 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures -17 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 15 cm, 30 to 60 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures -7 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 15 cm, 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.

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.