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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 5th, 2022–Dec 6th, 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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Continue to assess conditions as you gain elevation. Small wind slabs could be found when dry snow is encountered.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported, but observations are limited this time of year. If you head into the backcountry please submit a MIN report!

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures over the weekend have settled the fresh snow from last week. Expect a surface crust to have formed in many areas. Some dry snow may still be found on the highest north-facing terrain. Open terrain was heavily wind-affected prior to the warm up.

80 to 100 cm of snow can be found in the alpine, with wind-loaded areas up to 150 cm. Every storm brings the snowpack closer to the threshold for avalanches, however some areas at treeline and most areas below treeline have yet to overcome ground roughness.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light northwest winds with a low of -5 at 1000m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light northwest winds with freezing levels rising to 600m.

Wednesday

Stormy with 10cm of new snow expected by end of day. Moderate southerly wind. Freezing level rising to 600m.

Thursday

Cloudy with another 5 to 10cm of new snow. Moderate southwest winds and -7 at 1000m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.

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.