Avalanche forecast

North Columbia

Dec 2 – 3, 2020Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

  

Things are looking HOT up high for the next couple days. Naturally triggered wet loose avalanches are possible on all aspects and especially likely on solar aspects. Overhead hazards will be a primary concern.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

      

    10 cm of new snow and moderate northwest winds formed small wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

      

    Things are looking HOT up high for the next couple days. Naturally triggered wet loose avalanches are possible on all aspects and especially likely on solar aspects. Overhead hazards will be a primary concern.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

      

    The hot weather up high over the next couple days may awaken this layer. Cornice falls, or smaller avalanches are especially likely to trigger a large avalanche on this layer. This layer is most likely to be reactive to human triggers on south facing slopes and in shallow, rocky, snowpack areas in the alpine.

Weather Forecast

  

TUESDAY NIGHT: Clear / Light, northwest ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature 0 (temperature inversion, -12 in valleys) / Strong temperature inversion with above freezing air 2000-3500 m.

WEDNESDAY: Sunny / Moderate, south ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature +6 / Strong temperature inversion with above freezing air 2000-3500 m.

THURSDAY: Sunny / Moderate, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature +6 / Strong temperature inversion with above freezing air 2000-3500 m.

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 0 / Temperature inversion with above freezing air 2000-3000 m.

Confidence

Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

Check out this MIN of a recent human triggered wind slab avalanche at the Gorge.

Data is very sparse in this region. Please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network!

Snowpack Summary

  

10 cm of new snow and moderate northwest winds created small wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. 20-40 cm of recent storm snow and strong southerly winds created wind slabs at treeline and above that are now a couple days old. These wind slabs may remain surprisingly reactive in areas where they are sitting on a layer of small surface hoar. This layer has been described as “spotty” and may only be found in specific areas. A crust from early November exists down approximately 90-130 cm. 

This layer has been observed to have weak, sugary facets above and below it and is most likely to be reactive to human triggers on south facing slopes and in shallow, rocky, snowpack areas in the alpine.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid exposure to overhead hazards when solar radiation is strong.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.

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