Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Dec 2 – 3, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    New snow and southerly winds may form fresh wind slabs in leeward terrain in the alpine and treeline.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported, but observations are very limited at this time of year.

If you do go into the backcountry, consider submitting a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10 cm of new snow is expected to arrive on Friday night. At upper elevations, this new snow will be redistributed by strong southerly winds.

The snowpack remains generally shallow, with multiple hazards just below the snow surface.

A weak layer of faceted snow may be present at the base of the snowpack.

The height of snow at treeline is approximately 30 to 50 cm.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Cloudy with snowfall, up to 10 cm accumulation, south alpine wind 25 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -7 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with snowfall, up to 3 cm accumulation, southwest alpine wind 20 to 45 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with snowfall, 5 to 10 cm of accumulation, southwest alpine wind 60 to 100 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C.

Monday

Cloudy snow turning to rain below 1000 m, up to 5 cm of new snow accumulation at higher elevations, south alpine wind 40 to 80 km/h, treeline temperature rising to 0 °C, freezing level rising to 1400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
  • Expect shallow snow cover that barely covers ground roughness.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Regions covered