Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 27th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
SH,
Avalanche Canada
The mountains are relatively static, with few weather inputs to dramatically affect the danger. If considering exposure to larger alpine terrain, be cautious of the potential for avalanches to initiate on the basal depth hoar and facets.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed or reported over the last 24 hours.
Snowpack Summary
Wind effect and isolated hard wind slabs can be found in the alpine and in isolated spots at treeline from continued moderate to strong SW winds. In sheltered areas at treeline and below, surface hoar and facetted snow sit over two distinct rain crusts in the upper snowpack.
The base of the snowpack is a mix of weak facets, depth hoar and a decomposing Oct crust. Low elevations consist of a re-frozen previously wet snowpack.
Treeline snow depths range from 50-95 cm.
Weather Summary
On Thursday, SW winds will be in the moderate to strong range, with valley bottom freezing levels and scattered flurries. It's much the same for Friday.
For more information, click Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
- 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
Deep Persistent Slabs
The bottom layers of the snowpack are facetted and weak in most areas. Given the unpredictable nature of this problem, use caution when venturing on to any steeper slope with consequence.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Continued strong W through S winds have scoured much of the alpine and created isolated wind slabs over the past few days. If triggered, these wind slabs could step down to the deep persistent problem.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 28th, 2023 4:00PM
