Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 19th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
isnowsell,
Avalanche Canada
Assess for drifts and stiff wind slabs in exposed terrain. Cohesive slabs formed on the surface likely sit on a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals over a crust.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported in the past few days.
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Snowpack Summary
Up to 30 cm of snow since Sunday has buried a weak layer of surface hoar crystals, sitting over a widespread melt-freeze crust. Despite generally light winds, the new snow is cold, light, and ideal for being redistributed by winds.
Below the surface, the snowpack generally consists of layers of well-bonded snow with various melt-freeze crusts. No significant avalanche concerns at the moment.
At treeline the snowpack depth generally is 100 to 150 cm.
Weather Summary
Monday night
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow by the morning. Light to moderate Southwest winds and temperatures around -15 C in the alpine.
Tuesday
Cloudy with snow throughout the day. Amounts generally range from 5 to 15 cm. Light to moderate Southwest winds, transitioning to the Northwest by days end, and temperatures around -10 to -20 C in the alpine.
Wednesday
Sunny, with no precipitation. Temperatures -15 to -25 C and Moderate to strong Northeasterly winds in the alpine.
Thursday
Sunny with periods of cloud. No Precipitation. Temperatures -15 to -25 C and moderate Northeasterly winds in the alpine.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Problems
Wind Slabs
The surface snow is cold, low-density, and available for wind transport. Wind slabs are developing over a layer primed for avalanches, consisting of feathery surface hoar crystals on top of a hard crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 20th, 2022 4:00PM
