Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 8th, 2022 1:45PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
mkoppang,
Avalanche Canada
Forecasters had lots of settlements on Thursday at the treeline area indicating that a skiers weight can trigger an avalanche. Any avalanche is likely to step down to the deeper weak facetted base.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed on Thursday but visibility was limited due to light snowfall and low cloud.
Snowpack Summary
A few slab avalanches (both human and naturally triggered) in steeper terrain have been noted in recent days. As the winds increase on Thursday, we expect windslabs to become more widespread on lee aspects (N and E).
The basal layers of the snowpack are typical of the eastern Rockies for this time of year, and consist almost entirely of facets. Unfortunately this condition is not going anywhere fast, and may be with us for the season. Any avalanche that initiates in the upper snowpack is likely to fail in the deeper weak facets and involve the intire snowpack.
Weather Summary
Winds will decrease overnight and be more moderate on Friday out of the SW. Light snow will continue with daytime high around -10C. This weather pattern should be expected to persist throughout the weekend.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
The basal layers have turned into a conglomeration of weak facets and depth hoar crystals from the cold temperatures earlier this winter. Any avalanche that initiates in the upper snowpack is likely to step down to this weak base layer.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Windslabs in along ridgelines and in gullied terrain. These avalanches will likely step down to the weak base layers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 9th, 2022 4:00PM
