Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 3rd, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
dsaly,
Avalanche Canada
Very few field reports for this forecast region, and a reactive layer of surface hoar in forecast regions to the east. Choose conservative terrain and investigate the bond of the new snow.
Summary
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been observed or reported in this region. However, note that we have had very few field observations.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 30 cm of low-density snow covers older more settled snow. Southwest winds have left wind slabs at upper elevations. Down 40-60 cm is a melt-freeze crust from the middle of November. To the east, to the Columbia and Kootenay-Boundary Forecast regions, a layer of surface hoar (on a crust) down 40-70 cm has been quite reactive with extensive reports of whumpfing and cracking. This layer is likely found within this forecast region, but we need more field observations to determine its extent and sensitivity. Snowpack depths exceed 100 cm at upper elevations.
Weather Summary
Saturday night
Mostly clear. Light northeast wind. Treeline temperature low -12 °C, possible overnight inversion.
Sunday
Sunny and cold, possible inversion. Light northeast wind. Treeline temperature high -5 °C,
MondayClear, cold, and calm. Increasing northwest wind, treeline high temperatures -10 °C.
TuesdayCloudy and cold with isolated flurries. Northwest wind 20-40 km/hr. Treeline high temperature -12 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
- Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Southerly winds have impacted snow at upper elevations, incoming northwest wind may reverse-load features. There's a lot of loose snow out there, expect fresh slabs to form where the wind picks up.
Reports further east find a weak layer of surface hoar 40-60 cm below the surface (check out the Avalanche Forecast to the east) and have had extensive reports of whumpfing and cracking on this layer. We have limited observations this year, but this problem could be encountered in this Avalanche Forecast region. Keep an eye on the wind, slabs may quickly form wherever the wind encourages the fresh snow to bond; and with a weak layer of surface hoar below, reactive slabs may be more widespread, extend into treeline elevations, and be more reactive than expected in sheltered areas.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 4th, 2022 4:00PM
