Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 10th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada trettie, Avalanche Canada

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Continue to use caution at all elevations. We are uncertain of the reactivity of buried surface oar.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported.

If you do go into the backcountry, consider submitting a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30 cm of recent storm snow has been redistributed by variable winds. This new snow will overlie a layer of surface hoar at 1200 m, below this elevation it overlies a crust.

Another surface hoar layer is down 40 to 60 cm. This layer could exist on all aspects and at all elevations.

In general, the snowpack is still shallow for this time of year with snowpack depths at treeline ranging from 50 to 100 cm. Early season hazards are still a concern.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy with trace amounts of new snow possible, southerly alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -6°C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -1°C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with a few centimeters of new snow possible, south alpine wind 40 to 70 km/h, freezing level rising to 1400 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 30 to 60 km/h, freezing level falling to 700 m

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

30 to 60 cm of previous storm snow is forming a slab over large surface hoar crystals. Surface hoar is more likely to be well preserved at treeline but could exist at all elevations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind direction has been variable in the past day. Wind slab could exist on all aspects at treeline and above.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Dec 11th, 2023 4:00PM