Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 19th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
mbender,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs at upper elevations are the main concern.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Recent avalanche activity has been reported as a few explosives triggered size 1-2 wind slabs on north and east aspects in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
Recent new snow has been redistributed by predominantly southwest winds. There may be a newly buried layer of surface hoar about 10-20 cm below the snow surface at treeline and below.
A layer of facets buried at the end of November can be found 100 to 200 cm below the surface. The snowpack depth varies between 150 and 250 cm at treeline.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with a trace of snow, ridgetop wind southwest 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 3-5 cm of snow, ridgetop wind southwest 30-50 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C.
ThursdayCloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow, ridgetop wind south 30-60 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.
FridayCloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow, ridgetop wind south 20-40 km/h, treeline temperature -7 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Avoid rock outcroppings, convexities, and anywhere the snowpack is thin and/or variable.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind direction has switched over the past few days so expect to find wind slabs on a variety of aspects.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A deeply buried layer of facets sitting on a hard crust 100-200 cm below the snow surface is likely unreactive. It may be triggered from a thin spot or by a very heavy load such as a cornice failure.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 20th, 2023 4:00PM
