Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 7th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada lbaker, Avalanche Canada

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Fresh wind slabs are building at higher elevations as the wind picks up tomorrow. Carefully evaluate each slope for isolated wind slabs before committing.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported, but observations are limited this time of year. If you head out in the backcountry please support your community by submitting a MIN report!

Snowpack Summary

10 - 15 cm of new snow and moderate variable winds are redistributing new snow into deeper pockets at higher elevations. This sits atop heavily wind-affected surfaces. Roughly 70 to 90 cm can be found at the treeline in White Pass and upwards of 100 cm may exist in wind-loaded areas. The lower snowpack consists of soft, sugary facets and a crust near ground level.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with scattered flurries 2 to 5 cm accumulation, winds southeast 20-30 km/h, -8 C at 1500 m.

Thursday

Partly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, winds northerly 20-30 km/h, temperatures dropping to -20 at 1500 m.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud, isolated flurries trace accumulation, winds northerly 30 to 40 km/h, -20 at 1500 m.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, winds northerly 20 km/h, -25 at 1500m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Watch for fresh wind slabs building and becoming more cohesive as winds pick up through the next few days redistributing new snow into deeper pockets.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Dec 8th, 2022 4:00PM