Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 22nd, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
trettie,
Avalanche Canada
Assess exposed slopes for wind slab. Strong winds will likely redistribute the loose surface snow into new wind slabs.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday and Wednesday explosive control in the region produced only very small avalanches with a depth of 10cm.
If you are headed into the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.
Snowpack Summary
Southwest winds will likely form new wind slabs on north and east aspects. These slabs will form over a layer of facets meaning they will not bond well. As winds reach the strong range wind slabs could form lower down slope than expected.
The main layer of concern is the mid-November layer, which is made up of either surface hoar, facets, or crusts. It is now buried 40 to 80 cm deep. Avalanche activity on this layer has tapered off but it could still be possible to trigger this layer in isolated terrain features near treeline.
Alpine snowpack distribution is variable, with depths ranging from 70 to 140 cm.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Moderate southwest winds and a low of -29 at 2000m.
Friday
Cloudy with up to 5cm of new snow expected. Strong southwest winds and a High of -25 at 2000m.
Saturday
Cloudy with flurries bringing up to 5cm of new snow. Strong southwest winds and a high of -20 at 2000m.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud with flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Moderate southwest winds and a high of -14 at 2000m.
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.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong southwest winds will likely form new wind slabs in exposed terrain at treeline and above. These slabs will be found on east and north slopes sitting above facets. this layer of facets will mean wind slabs could be touchy and propagate wider than expected.
Strong winds can move snow further down slope . It is possible that wind slab may not be felt right below ridge top, you may encounter it a few meters into the slope.
Wind slab avalanches could step down to deeper layers.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A layer of surface hoar, facets and, a crust from mid November is buried around 40 cm deep but can be found down as much as 80 cm. This layer has become hard to trigger but could still be sensitive to rider traffic on isolated slopes at treeline and below where the snow above feels stiff and consolidated.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 23rd, 2022 4:00PM
