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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 17th, 2024–Dec 18th, 2024

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Spearhead, Tantalus, Birkenhead.

Choose small, low consequence slopes with no overhead hazard.

Large, reactive storm slabs will have built overnight.

If the sky clears solar input could result in more natural avalanches.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday avalanche control with explosives in the region produced numerous avalanches up to size 3.

On Saturday a widespread storm cycle was observed on all aspects and elevations. These avalanches were generally up to size 2.

If you are going out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN)

Snowpack Summary

By the morning of the 18th up to 60 cm of new snow may have fallen. This will be accompanied by strong southerly winds forming deeper deposits on north aspects.

At treeline and above a layer of surface hoar in sheltered terrain may be found down 40 to 60 cm.

A prominent crust from early December is down 60 to 120 cm at treeline. A layer of surface hoar may be found in sheltered areas at treeline at this depth but it’s distribution is uncertain.

The lower snowpack is well-settled with no layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with 35 to 55 cm of snow expected. 60 to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy in the morning and clearing throughout the day. Around 5 cm of snow expected early in the morning. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 1400 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with around 5 cm of snow expected at higher elevations. 60 to 70 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 2300 m.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Don't let storm day fever lure you into consequential terrain.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • Conservative terrain selection is critical; choose gentle, low consequence lines.

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.