Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 19th, 2022–Dec 20th, 2022
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

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.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the past few days.

If you head out into the mountains, please share your photos or observations on the Mountain Information Network. Your information helps us understand local conditions!

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.

Avalanche 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: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2