Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 14th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
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Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs at upper elevations are the main concern.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
A few small (size 1) wind slabs were triggered by riders on Wednesday, otherwise, no notable avalanche activity has been reported in the past few days.
Snowpack Summary
30 to 60 cm of dry snow sits above a crust from last week's rain event. The greatest amounts are likely around Fernie, but any leeward terrain could have deeper deposits due to the recent southwest wind. Reports suggest the snow is bonding well to the crust. You may also find a thin crust near the surface in some areas. The lower snowpack is rain-soaked and slowly refreezing. Typical snowpack depths at treeline are 50 to 120 cm, and taper rapidly below treeline.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy with no precipitation, alpine wind southwest 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, alpine wind southwest 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -4 °C.
SaturdayMostly sunny with no precipitation, alpine wind southwest 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -2 °C.
SundayMix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, alpine wind west 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slab avalanches may remain possible to trigger on leeward terrain features such as ridgecrests and roll-overs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 15th, 2023 4:00PM
