Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 17th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
jleblanc,
Avalanche Canada
Strong outflow winds are expected to affect treeline and above.
Be aware of the potential for reverse loading and encountering wind slabs on slopes you might not expect them.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
On Friday, small slabs avalanches (size 1) were triggered by skiers on steep wind-loaded slopes in the Zymacord area. If you venture into the backcountry, please consider submitting a MIN report, as it helps to strengthen our data gathering.
Snowpack Summary
Surfaces at upper elevations are highly wind-affected and variable at this time. In some parts of the region, a crust exists on south aspects after warm temperatures swept through this week. Dry snow still exists on northerly aspects at lower elevations.
A layer of large surface hoar crystals, buried in early December, is found down 20 to 50 cm. Although this layer has not been producing avalanches recently, reverse-loading may increase the likelihood of triggering.
The lower snowpack is well consolidated above the mid-November crust, found at treeline below 1200 m.
Weather Summary
An arctic front is sliding throughout the region. Gusty northerly winds and cold temperatures will persist into next week. Strong outflows are expected through the coastal inlets due to channelling effects.
Saturday night
Partly cloudy. Isolated flurries. Northeast wind 40 km/h gusting 60 km/h at ridge tops. Temperatures dropping to -15˚C.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud. Scattered flurries. Northeast wind 40 km/h at ridge tops. High of -20˚C.
Monday
Mainly sunny. No precipitation. Northeast wind 40 km/h at ridge tops. High of -22˚C.
Tuesday
Mainly sunny. No precipitation. Northeasterly wind 40 km/h at ridge tops. High of -24˚C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
Problems
Wind Slabs
New slabs will likely form with northeasterly outflow winds. Winds slabs could overlie a weak layer of surface hoar, facets, and/or a crust. Any avalanche in the upper snowpack has the potential to scrub down to these deeper weak layers, making for larger-than-expected avalanches. This is especially relevant at treeline elevations, where surface hoar is more likely larger and better preserved.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 18th, 2022 4:00PM
