Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 4th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada isnowsell, Avalanche Canada

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Avalanche danger remains elevated as warm, wet and windy conditions continue throughout Tuesday

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Despite the lack of reports, we suspect a natural avalanche cycle to occur during the peak of the warming event (Monday night into Tuesday).

If you're heading out in the backcountry, please consider sharing any observations on the Mountain Information Network

Snowpack Summary

Approximately 20 to 40 cm of heavy, rain-soaked snow sits over various layers of crusts and old faceted snow and may also overlie isolated pockets of surface hoar in sheltered areas. A thick crust exists at the base of the snowpack at higher elevations.

Treeline snowpack depths in the range of 80-100 cm in the Coquihalla area.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with 40 to 70 mm of rain (potentially wet snow at higher elevations), southwest alpine winds 50 to 70 km/h, treeline temperature 2 °C, freezing level 2700 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 30 to 50 mm of a mix of rain and snow, southwest alpine winds 30 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature 1 °C, freezing levels 2100 m and dropping gradually through the day.

Wednesday

Cloudy with no precipitation, southwest alpine winds 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -2 °C.

 

 

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Carefully monitor the bond between the new snow and old surface.
  • 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

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Storm slabs will remain reactive with warm temperatures and rain or wet snow throughout Tuesday.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Expect likelihood of loose wet avalanches to decrease through the day Tuesday, as rain tapers and temperatures cool.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 5th, 2023 4:00PM