Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 19th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
IJ,
Avalanche Canada
Ridgetop winds are forecasted to pick up over the next few days, although previous winds have already moved much of the available snow. Pay attention to wind loading as you make your way into the alpine and continue to make conservative terrain choices.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Lake Louise Ski Area reported triggering some small windslabs in alpine terrain with explosives on Tuesday. Otherwise, no new avalanches observed or reported.
Snowpack Summary
Previous SW winds have created wind slabs in the alpine and exposed treeline locations. Below this is a semi-supportive mid-pack that may include a raincrust (1-7 cm thick) that exists up to 2300m. The lower snowpack is facetted and weak.
Weather Summary
Light flurries with minimal accumulation are forecasted along the continental divide through Friday. Ridgetop winds will be SW, moderate to strong on Wednesday, picking up to strong to extreme on Thursday, and then easing slightly to strong on Friday. Temperatures will be relatively mild with freezing levels near valley bottom.
For more information, click Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Past winds have created wind slabs in alpine and some exposed treeline locations. Incoming strong winds over the next few days may add to these but there is not a lot of snow left to move around in much of the terrain. Caution in steeper lee terrain is advised.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The bottom layer of the snow pack is facetted and weak. Human triggering of this deep persistent layer is possible.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 20th, 2023 4:00PM
