Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 26th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
rbuhler,
Avalanche Canada
Observations have been very limited, but wind slabs are expected to have formed recently and are expected to remain reactive to human triggering on Tuesday. During times of uncertainty, a conservative approach is recommended and extra caution is warranted in wind-exposed terrain.
If you're out in the mountains, please consider submitting a MIN and let us know what you're seeing.
Summary
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Saturday or Sunday but observations have been very limited.
On Friday afternoon, the Avalanche Canada field team reported ski-cutting a few size 1 avalanches on a north aspect convex roll feature at 1600 m elevation in the Hankin-Evelyn area. These failed on the old, hard surfaces and encompassed up to 25 cm of the recent storm snow. With ongoing light snowfall and wind, these type of avalanches are expected to continue to be a concern in wind-exposed terrain, and may have increased in size and reactivity since Friday.
Snowpack Summary
The new snow has buried a highly variable surface from the recent period of cold temperatures and outflow winds. The old wind-affected surface was generally very hard and in many places, the snow had been stripped to the ground. In sheltered areas around treeline, faceting had been observed and the snow surface was becoming unconsolidated.
Prior to the new storm snow, a layer of surface hoar could be found down 20 to 30 cm at treeline but had not been an active layer of concern.
Generally, the snowpack is shallow and highly variable in terms of depth, with the mid and lower snowpack presenting as settled and dense.
Weather Summary
Monday night
Snowfall up to 5 cm, moderate to strong SW wind, freezing level as high as 1000 m for the south of the region, expected to drop to valley bottom by the morning.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud, light NE-SE wind, treeline high around -5 °C.
Wednesday
Mainly cloudy, light to moderate SW wind, treeline high around -7 °C.
Thursday
Mainly cloudy, moderate SE wind, treeline high around -9 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
- The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent observations have been very limited, but new wind slabs are expected to have formed as the recent snowfall has likely been redistributed by strong southwest winds. In some places, these new wind slabs may overlay a weak layer of sugary facets, potentially increasing the slab reactivity.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 27th, 2022 4:00PM
