Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 18th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs.
isnowsell,
Avalanche Canada
Buried surface hoar remains the primary avalanche concern, and may be prone to human-triggering where present.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Despite the lack of reported avalanche activity, the buried surface hoar continues to cause concerning results in snowpack tests and shows signs of instability like whumpfs and shooting cracks.
Snowpack Summary
Approximately 10 cm of recent snow is settling over a variety of old surfaces, including a thin crust on steep solar-facing terrain and surface hoar in wind-sheltered features.
Down 30-50 cm a 5-15 cm thick, frozen crust exists. It has been observed up to 2350 m, but it is starting to break down at treeline and above, where it is thinner. A concerning layer of surface hoar buried in early December is 60-90 cm deep at treeline and above.
The lower snowpack is generally faceted.
Average treeline snowpack depths are between 80 and 150 cm. Snowpack depth tapers rapidly with elevation.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy with no precipitation, southwest alpine winds 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -3 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -3 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C.
Thursday
Cloudy with trace amounts of snow, southwest alpine winds 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
- Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
A persistent weak layer of surface hoar is buried down 60-90 cm in the snowpack. A frozen crust was reducing the chance of triggering this layer, but it has started to break down and get weaker.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 19th, 2023 4:00PM
