Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 6th, 2023 2:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Storm Slabs.
matt,
Avalanche Canada
From one extreme to another! Avoid any activity in avalanche terrain on Thursday as we're expecting our first real storm of the year.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Clouds prevented any views of the hills today, but there's likely an avalanche cycle under way.
Snowpack Summary
We have a largely wet and warm snowpack at the moment. Rain up to 2100m has saturated low elevation snowpacks and likely a moist, soon-to-be crust from 2100-2200m. Above that, weather stations aren't showing much accumulation yet, but it appears we've had 10-20cm at peak height by this evening. The interface between the old and new snow will be slow to develop because of the wide temperature spread. As the snow temperatures average out, the bond will improve, This is a rapid loading situation, which typically means an avalanche cycle is on the way.
Weather Summary
Snow?? Apparently there is some on the way. The rain will be pushed out by cold air overnight tonight with moderate snow to follow. Forecasts vary on timing, but amounts seem to more or less agree with 30-40cm being the average number. Surface light winds will shift to the north and temperatures will fall to -7 by morning.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
- Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Rapid, heavy loading and a very poor base will make for touchy, and wide propagating avalanches. Reverse loading may occur near ridges.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Slabs are reactive on the basal facets and possibly an intact crust at lower elevations. These will run far and fast if they trigger.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Storm Slabs
Given the light winds, new snow will settle and form "settlement slabs" that will be reactive. Whoomphing and collapsing will be an indicator of this problem.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 7th, 2023 4:00PM
