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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 22nd, 2023–Dec 23rd, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
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.

Regions

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

Avalanches remain possible in wind loaded terrain.

Travel carefully due to early season hazards.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported before 4pm on Friday.

Please help out your backcountry community by submitting a MIN report if you head out to the backcountry.

Snowpack Summary

The preceding warm storm transitioned to colder conditions upon its departure. Anticipated new snow is likely to adhere quite effectively to the existing surface. Avalanches are expected primarily in areas where robust winds are creating deeper accumulations of snow over pre-existing, smooth, and firm surfaces. Below treeline, you'll find dirt, or shallow, heavy, moist or wet snow.

Mild temperatures and continuous rainfall have saturated and reduced the snowpack. The current snow depth ranges from 40 to 90 cm, diminishing rapidly below the 1000 m elevation threshold.

Terrain features with smooth ground cover, gullies, or established avalanche paths are above the threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Partly cloudy. Trace of snow expected. Freezing level around 500 m. Treeline temperature around -3 °C. Moderate northwest ridgetop wind becoming southeast.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy. Trace of snow expected. Freezing level around 900 m. Treeline temperature around -3 °C. Moderate south or southwest ridgetop wind.

Sunday

Partly cloudy. Very light rain expected. Freezing level rising to 1500-2000 m. Treeline temperature around 1 °C. Extreme south or southwest ridgetop wind.

Monday

Cloudy. Heavy snow and rain expected. Freezing level rising to 1200-1500 m. Treeline temperature around 0 °C. Extreme south or southwest ridgetop wind.

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.
  • Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

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.