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Avalanche Forecast

Dec 28th, 2023–Dec 29th, 2023
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

A complex snowpack is making for challenging travel conditions in avalanche terrain. Exercise caution during this time of uncertainty.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several explosive-triggered small wind slabs were reported on Wednesday in alpine terrain in the northern Purcells. One of these avalanches stepped down to basal facets, producing a size 2 avalanche.

Snowpack Summary

A generally well-settled upper snowpack sits atop a particularly complex snowpack with several layers of note.

A layer of buried surface hoar is down roughly 50 to 70 cm and remains concerning in much of the region. It is less of a concern in areas where a strong, supportive crust exists above the surface hoar layer.

The lower snowpack is typically characterized by sugary, facetted crystals and a crust.

Snowpack depths at treeline average roughly 70-120 cm. However, there is significant variability in both snowpack structure and depths across the region.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy with no precipitation, southwest alpine winds 0 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

Mostly sunny with no precipitation, south alpine winds 0 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -3 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with no precipitation, south alpine winds 0 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -3 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with trace amounts of snow, northwest alpine winds 0 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • In times of uncertainty conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rock outcroppings and steep convex terrain where triggering is most likely.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

The primary layer of concern in much of the region is a layer of surface hoar down 50-70 cm. If triggered, avalanches on this layer could step down to deeper weak layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

A layer of weak facets near the ground may be reactive to human triggering. Especially in shallow, rocky areas in alpine terrain where the layer is not being capped by a crust.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3