Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 27th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
rgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
There is a Special Public Avalanche Warning in effect for this region. Learn more: avalanche.ca/spaw
Warm temperatures and moist snow has promoted slab growth has increased the chance for avalanches.
Avalanche hazard will be highest in the eastern sections of our region.
Conservative terrain choices are a safe bet until cooler temperatures return.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
There have been few reports from our region but it is expected that there is a natural avalanche cycle occurring or has already occurred with these warm temperatures. There have been numerous reports to our immediate east of natural and human-triggered avalanches. Many of these human-triggered avalanches were a surprise to the individuals triggering them.
Please consider submitting a MIN report if you head into the backcountry.
Snowpack Summary
Snow and rain continue to fall on a snowpack already affected by our warming trend. Suspect this to have promoted slab properties in 20 to 35 cm of the top layer of the snowpack. At higher elevations, where it is colder, southeast to southwest winds has produced fresh wind slabs. Recent snow may not have bonded well to previous surfaces, varying in form from sugary faceted grains and small surface hoar crystals.
The majority of the snowpack is faceted, with roughly 120 cm found at treeline and less below treeline.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy, up to 8 cm accumulation with most of it falling in the south and the possibility of rain at lower elevations, 25 to 30 km/h southwest wind, freezing level 1500 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy, up to 4 cm accumulation, 25 to 30 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures -5 °C, and freezing level between 1300 and 700 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with a chance of sunny periods, 2 cm accumulation, 30 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures -8 to -2 °C.
Friday
Cloudy with sunny periods. up to 5 cm accumulation, 30 km/h south wind, temperatures treeline temperatures -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Snow that fell over the weekend has been affected by the warming trend that started on Monday. Warm temperatures and precipitation will have promoted slab formation. Continued heavy moist snow will continue this.
At higher elevations, where temperatures remained cool, south southwest winds may have redistributed recent snow into wind slabs.
Be aware that buried weak layers may become reactive if smaller avalanches are triggered above them.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 28th, 2022 4:00PM
