Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 14th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada lbaker, Avalanche Canada

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Heightened avalanche conditions exist on wind loaded features in the alpine where snow remains dry and wind slabs linger.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported in the region.

If you do head into the backcountry please consider submitting observations and/or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

At higher elevations, 5 to 10 cm of snow covers a thick melt-freeze crust. The mid and lower snowpack is made up of a series of crusts and rounded grains. The snowpack is generally well consolidated.

Overall, the snow depth remains relatively shallow, creating challenging travel conditions and numerous hazards at or just below the snow surface across all elevations.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, southwest ridgetop wind increases from 20 to 40 km/h through the night, treeline temperature +1 °C, freezing level rises to 2000 m by morning.

Friday

Partly cloudy with no precipitation, southwest ridgetop wind 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature +2 °C, freezing level remains above mountain tops.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, west ridgetop wind 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature +4 °C, freezing level remains above mountain tops.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, west ridgetop wind 20 km/h, treeline temperature +6 °C, freezing level remains above mountain tops.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
  • Be cautious of buried obstacles especially below treeline.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Where snow remains dry southwest winds will redistribute snow into fresh wind slabs. Use caution transitioning into wind loaded lee terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

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

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