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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 6th, 2022–Dec 7th, 2022

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

Regions

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

20 - 30 cm low-density snow and moderate ridge tops winds have redistributed into fresh wind slabs in open areas. As slabs continue to build watch for wind slabs becoming more cohesive and reactive in steep terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Shooting cracks and whumpfing is being reported at treeline. No new avalanches have been reported on the persistent weak layer. However, note that we have had very few field observations. There is great uncertainty around this layer and it has professionals guard up.

On Sunday operators in the region reported a natural windslab avalanche cycle to size 2 from the previous 24 to 48 hours.

Thank you for all the MIN reports! They are extremely helpful to us in the early season when snowpack information is limited. Please continue to share your observations via the Mountain Information Network

Snowpack Summary

20 - 30 cm of low-density snow has accumulated in sheltered areas at treeline. Where winds have redistributed fresh snow soft slabs are forming in lees. This overlies a variety of wind-affected surfaces.

A weak layer of surface hoar, facets, and melt-freeze crust can be found down 40-70 cm. This layer is more likely to be reactive where wind distribution has created a cohesive slab over it.

Snowpack depths range from 70 cm at treeline to 140 cm in the alpine. Below treeline snowpack is thin and faceted creating an additional challenge when accessing higher areas.

Weather Summary

Tuesday night

Cloudy skies and scattered flurries bring an additional 2 - 10 cm to the Cariboos. Valley bottom winds remain light but at ridgetop winds are strong from the northwest. Alpine temperature low of -10.

Wednesday

Cloudy with scattered flurries in the morning amounting to 2 - 5 cm through most of the region. Southwesterly ridge top winds 40 to 60 km/hr. Alpine temperature low of -5.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud and isolated flurries, accumulating trace amounts of snow. Ridgetop winds are 35 gusting to 50 km/hr from the southwest. Alpine high temperature -5 and a low of -10.

Friday

Sunny with cloudy periods and isolated flurries. Ridgetop winds are 40 km/hr from the west. Alpine high temperature -10 and a low of -15.

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.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.