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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 8th, 2023–Dec 9th, 2023

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

Regions

Cariboos, North Columbia, Clearwater, Quesnel, Jordan.

Watch for fresh wind loading, storm snow remains reactive to human triggers.

Choose conservative terrain, minimize exposure to large avalanche paths and overhead hazard.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

A widespread natural cycle likey occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday, with large storm slabs, and wet avalanches in areas that received mostly rain. Avalanches ran on the buried surface hoar layer or within the storm snow.

While storm snow avalanches are tapering off, the highest danger for continued reactivity exists in areas where the rain crust thins, or does not exist.

Snowpack Summary

Strong winds will redistribute 10-20 cm of recent snow into deeper deposits on north and east facing slopes. This snow covers a widespread crust from the rain. This rain crust is thought to extend to ridgetop, however we have limited observations in this area.

The greatest concern is a large and weak layer of surface hoar, found 40-60 cm deep. This surface hoar sits on a thin sun crust on steep south-facing slopes. In some areas, the surface hoar has been saturated by the rain and is decomposing.

The mid-pack is generally well-settled. Lower in the snowpack a crust with weak facets beneath it can be found 20 cm off the ground.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with westerly winds 20 km/h. No snowfall expected. Treeline temperatures around -8 °C.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with light snowfall in the afternoon delivering up to 5 cm. Treeline temperatures around -8 °C. Southwest winds increase to 40-60 km/h.

Snow continues overnight with 10 cm possible.

Sunday

Cloudy with another 10 cm of snow possible. Winds ease to 40 km/h from the west. Treeline temperatures around -7 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with no snow expected. Light and variable winds. Treeline temperatures reach -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
  • Use careful route-finding and stick to moderate slope angles with low consequences.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

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.