Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Dec 16 – 17, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Carefully evaluate both the terrain and the snowpack. Avoid slopes directly below ridgetops, where deep, freshly formed wind-loaded snow pillows are present.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Wind slabs are likely to have formed at higher elevations near ridge top where new snow has been loaded into leeward terrain features.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Buried surface hoar in sheltered terrain is expected to be reactive to human triggers.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There are no recent avalanche reports for this region.

If you are going out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

The weekend storm snow has likely buried existing surface hoar that was previously found in wind-sheltered, and sun-sheltered open terrain. A thin melt-freeze crust may exist on south-facing slopes. Expect to find new winds slab development as the weekend southerly winds have transported new snow onto north aspect terrain.

Above 1800 m on non-solar slopes, you can find 20 to 40 cm of snow above a thin crust. The crust disappears as you travel higher into the alpine.

Below 1800 m, 15 to 25 cm of snow sits overtop a thicker and more robust crust.

Snow depths at treeline are around 80-90 cm.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Snow 1 to 5 cm. 10 to 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 500 m.

Monday

Snow 1 to 5 cm. 10 to 15 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Tuesday

Snow flurries 1 to 2 cm. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

Wednesday

Snow with some rain 5 to 10 mm. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

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