Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 20th, 2023 1:45PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
matt,
Avalanche Canada
Now would be a great time to postpone your daily ski trip and visit your local Christmas Market. A snow globe might remind you of what a storm looks like. Warm and dry until at least Saturday; lots of time to hit the Market.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Nothing to report.
Snowpack Summary
Temperatures have been hovering around zero at valley bottom for the last day or so. Treeline temps have been slightly cooler with -3 being the low at 2200m. Snow height at 2200m is hanging in there at 65cm at the weather station, but likely more than that in many areas. Factoring in wind transport, 80-100cm wouldn't be unrealistic in gullies and lee areas. The windslabs should be improving with the warmer temps, and we'd expect them to be less reactive as this balmy december draws to a close. The problematic deeper layers will see no change until we get some significant change in weather.
Weather Summary
This weather is getting ridiculous! As nice as it is to not be freezing off the important bits, it would be nice to get some snow. Take a deep breath or two, here's tomorrow's forecast:
No snow, temperatures between -4 and +1, light SW winds
There. I said it.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
- Avoid rock outcroppings, convexities, and anywhere the snowpack is thin and/or variable.
- Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs/ old windslabs are present in almost all lee and cross-loaded features. Human triggering is still a concern.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Be mindful of the weak layers towards the base of the snowpack. Thin rocky areas may propagate out to thicker areas.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 21st, 2023 4:00PM
