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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 15th, 2024–Dec 16th, 2024

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

Regions

South Coast Inland, Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, Stein, Taseko.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.