Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 19th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeThe forecast calls for light amounts of precipitation over the next few days. If the wind picks up, watch for fresh wind slab formation at upper elevations.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
There is no new avalanche activity to report.
If you do go into the backcountry, consider submitting a Mountain Information Network report.
Snowpack Summary
Widespread wind-affected surfaces exist at higher elevations with roughly 30 cm of recent snow that has been redistributed by strong southwest alpine winds.
Two different surface hoar layers have been reported in the upper half of the snowpack and appear to be most prominent at treeline and below. Snowpack depth at treeline is 50 to 100 cm.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy with a trace of snow, ridgetop winds southwest 20-40 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with 2 to 4 cm of snow, ridgetop wind south and southwest 15-30 km/h, treeline temperature -3 °C.
ThursdayMostly cloudy with 2 to 6 cm of snow, ridgetop wind southwest west 30-50 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C.
FridayMostly cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of snow, ridgetop wind south west 15-30 km/h, treeline temperatures -6 °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.
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for pockets of deeper, wind deposited snow around ridges and gullies.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A layer of buried surface hoar can be found 30-50 cm below the snow surface. It is reported to be deeper, more reactive in the western part of the region.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 20th, 2023 4:00PM