Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 14th, 2024–Dec 15th, 2024

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

Regions

South Coast, Powell River, Tantalus, North Shore, Sasquatch, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, Tetrahedron, Harrison-Fraser.

The storm has eased, but now is not the time to let your guard down. Evaluate the snowpack carefully and make conservative terrain choices.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

At the time of publishing this forecast, no new avalanches have been observed or reported.

A natural avalanche cycle is expected to have occurred during Saturdays storm.

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

Snowpack Summary

Snowfall amounts in excess of 50 cm have reached the threshold for critical loading. This combined with warming temperatures have potentially transformed the upper snowpack into a dense slab that overlies a firm crust at treeline. North through east-facing slopes in the alpine that are protected from the wind are likely have buried surface hoar which sits over moist snow. It is expected that the strong southwesterly wind has stripped snow accumulation from exposed alpine features, transporting it to North aspect terrain. Continued developed of deep wind slabs are possible due to the ongoing wind and available snow.

Snow depths at treeline are estimated to vary across the region from 65 cm to 200 cm.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Snow 10 to 25 cm. 30 to 80 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Sunday

Snow at higher elevations and rain 5 to 10 mm. 20 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Monday

Snow 1 to 2 cm. 15 to 1 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Tuesday

Afternoon clearing. 20 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

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.

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.