Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 17th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.
trettie,
Avalanche Canada
Carefully assess conditions as you move through terrain. Moist snow on steep slopes mean that wet loose avalanches are possible.
Wind slab avalanches are still possible in the alpine.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Less avalanche activity was reported in the region on Saturday with just one size one explosive triggered wind slab being observed.
On Friday size 1 human triggered avalanches were reported at all elevations - involving dry snow at higher elevations (primarily on north facing slopes) and wet avalanches at lower elevations where rain had affected the snow.
Please share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Sustained high freezing levels or an above freezing layer will likely result in moist snow at all elevations and aspects.
A 1-2 cm crust is buried around 10 to 30 cm deep. This crust extends into the alpine and is combined with a layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas.
At treeline and above two layers of concern are buried around 40 and 60 cm deep. Both consist of a crust that tapers at higher elevations, and surface hoar in sheltered areas. No recent activity has been reported on these layers but they continue to be reactive in testing. These layers may become reactive to human triggers during the warming.
Overall, the snow depth remains shallow, hiding early season hazards just below the snow surface.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Partially clear with trace amounts of new snow possible, south alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, above freezing layer above 1600 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of mixed precipitation possible, south alpine wind 30 to 50 km/h, freezing level around 2400 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with 5 to 10 mm of mixed precipitation expected, southeast alpine wind 10 to 30 km/h, freezing level around 2300 m.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of mixed precipitation expected, south alpine wind 15 to 25 km/h, freezing level around 2100 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
- If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Human triggering of wind slabs is still possible near ridge crests in the alpine.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
With sustained high freezing levels wet loose avalanches are possible on steep slopes at all elevations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 18th, 2023 4:00PM
