Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 14th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada ejones, Avalanche Canada

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Don't let early season stoke and clearing skies lure you in!

Lots of new snow and strong winds mean avalanche hazard remains high.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few natural wind slab avalanches up to size 2 on north-facing, alpine terrain were reported on Wednesday. These avalanches are suspected to be up to 100 cm deep.

Check out Wednesday's report from our Avalanche Canada field team.

If you do go into the backcountry, consider submitting a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

Approximately 60 to 100 cm of recent storm snow continues to be redistributed by strong south and southwesterly winds. Deep deposits of wind-loaded snow can be found on north and northeast facing slopes, and on lee features. South-facing slopes may be stripped of snow by recent winds.

There may be stiff wind slab underneath new fluffy snow, be sure to dig and investigate.

Treeline snow depth is roughly 80 to 100 cm, however, snow depths overall remain highly variable.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 40 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature -6°C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy, with a clearance expected in the northeast of the region, trace amounts of snow possible, southwest alpine winds 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -10°C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with trace amounts of snow possible, southwest alpine winds 20 - 40 km/h, treeline temperature -10°C.

Sunday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 60 to 100 km/h, treeline temperature -10°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

More than 50 cm of recent new snow means that avalanches could be possible on all aspects.

Fresh and reactive slabs are most likely on slopes facing north and northeast, and on lee features like ridges, convexities and gullies.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Dec 15th, 2023 4:00PM

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