Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 10th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada wlewis, Avalanche Canada

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Strong winds will likely build reactive slabs around ridgelines and mid slope rollovers.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Natural and human triggered avalanche activity has tapered off.

Human triggered avalanches are still possible at higher elevations, where slabs sit over the weak surface hoar.

Snowpack Summary

The recent 30-40 cm of storm snow has likely been redistributed into deeper deposits on north and east facing slopes at higher elevations. This sits over a rain crust that has been observed to ridgeline in most areas.

A layer of surface hoar is now buried 50-80 cm deep. The recent rain crust is thought to limit avalanches on this persistent weak layer. However, it may be possible to trigger this in isolated terrain features, or for small avalanches to step down to this layer.

The lower snowpack is a mix of rounded and faceted grains. A hard crust may be found near the ground.

Treeline snowpack depths are variable and generally range between 60 and 100 cm. Snowpack tapers rapidly as you move lower in elevation.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with another 5 cm of snow possible. Westerly winds, 20-40km/h.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with no snow expected. Light and variable winds. Treeline temperatures reach -5 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly clear skies with no snow expected. Light and variable winds. Treeline temperatures reach -5 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly clear skies with no snow expected. Light and variable winds. Treeline temperatures reach -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
  • Use careful route-finding and stick to moderate slope angles with low consequences.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Storm snow overlies a rain crust. Winds have built deeper and more reactive slabs in north and east facing terrain features.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

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