Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 14th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
isnowsell,
Avalanche Canada
Stormy weather continues until Friday morning. It's a good time to avoid wind affected terrain, like ridgelines and gully features, as reactive wind slabs continue to form.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No reports of recent avalanche activity. Although it is likely natural wind slab activity continues at higher elevations until the snow and winds taper by Friday morning.
Snowpack Summary
White Pass has received 15-25 cm of new snow with strong to extreme southwesterly winds since the weekend. Up to 60 cm deep, cohesive wind slabs have been formed on various aspects and elevations.
A faceting crust is found down 20-50 cm on solar aspects but has not been reactive in tests. The lower snowpack consists of soft, sugary facets and a crust near ground level.
Up to 125 cm of snow can be found in the alpine however winds have made distribution variable. Treeline snow depth averages 80 cm.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Cloudy with periods of snow, up to 10 cm. Moderate to strong southwesterly winds in the lower alpine. While temperatures are around -5 C.
Thursday
Cloudy with periods of snow, up to 10 cm. Moderate to strong southwesterly winds in the lower alpine. While temperatures are around -5 C.
Friday
Flurries taper in the morning and an arctic air moves in bringing clear skies by the afternoon. Winds light from the Northeast. Temperatures will plummet to -20 C by the end of the day.
Saturday
Mainly clear skies. Temperatures in the -20 to -25 C range, with light Northeasterly winds.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
- Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs remain reactive. While new windslabs will continue to form as long as the stormy weather continues. Deep wind slabs have formed, up to 100 cm and could create a very destructive avalanche if triggered. This is a good time to avoid avalanche terrain that has been exposed to recent winds. Riding quality will be best in wind sheltered areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 15th, 2022 4:00PM
