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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 15th, 2022–Dec 16th, 2022

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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Cariboos, North Rockies, Clearwater, McBride, Quesnel, Sugarbowl, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Tumbler.

New wind slabs could form with moderate north winds in the forecast. Expect this problem to be more reactive on south through southeast aspects.

While travelling in avalanche terrain, be especially cautious of cohesive slabs overlying a sugary, weak lower snowpack.

Plenty of early season hazards, such as buried rocks and tree stumps still exist.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the past few days in the region.

Please continue to share any observations of photos on the Mountain Information Network!

Snowpack Summary

40 - 80 cm of snow continues to bond and settle over a generally weak sugary, facetted mid and lower snowpack. Isolated pockets of wind slab persist in wind exposed terrain at higher elevations.

Snowpack depths are highly variable, ranging from 80-180 cm in the alpine. Below treeline the snowpack is thin and sugary making it a challenge to access terrain in many areas without damaging your sled or skis.

Weather Summary

Thursday night

Partly cloudy. Chance of light flurries. Wind from the northwest at 30km/h. Temperature around -10˚C.

Friday

Partly cloudy. Chance of light flurries up to 3cm accumulation. Wind from the northwest up to 50km/h. Temperature -10˚C in for the alpine

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud. Flurries possible. Wind from the north at 10km/h gusting to 30km/h. Temperatures start around -15˚C in the morning and drop to -22˚C in the afternoon.

Sunday

Cold weather locking in. Partly cloudy. No new snow. Wind from the north at 15km/h. Temperatures down to -27˚C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • 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

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.