Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 15th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs.
mbender,
Avalanche Canada
Be careful with large terrain features above treeline where persistent slab avalanches are possible. Read our Forecasters' Blog for more details on the persistent slab problem.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Recent avalanche observations are limited to small (size 1) dry loose avalanches running in steep terrain.
Snowpack Summary
A dusting of new snow buried a recently formed surface hoar layer and sun crust. A prominent rain crust is found 30 to 60 cm deep. While the dry snow above the crust is bonding well, some areas have large weak surface hoar crystals beneath the crust. It may be possible to trigger this surface hoar layer in areas where the crust is thinner and less supportive, with higher-elevation terrain being the most suspect. Typical snowpack depths at treeline are 70 to 110 cm, and taper rapidly below treeline.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Partly cloudy with no precipitation, alpine wind southwest 20 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, alpine wind southwest and west 20 km/h, treeline temperature -2 °C.
SundayMix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, alpine wind west 10-15 km/h, treeline temperature -2 °C .
MondayMostly sunny with no precipitation, alpine wind southwest 20 km/h, treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully evaluate bigger terrain features on an individual basis before committing to them.
- Surface hoar distribution is highly variable. Avoid generalizing your observations.
- 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
Persistent Slabs
Large terrain features at upper elevations should be approached with caution. Preserved surface hoar may be found 30 to 60 cm deep and triggerable in areas where it is not capped by a thick rain crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 16th, 2023 4:00PM
