Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 14th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
trettie,
Avalanche Canada
Assess for wind slab on exposed features in the alpine and upper treeline. Small avalanches are possible in wind loaded features.
Travel is still challenging due to a shallow snowpack,
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches have been reported recently.
If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a MIN report.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20 cm of recent snow has buried a hard melt-freeze crust. Southerly wind will likely redistribute this new snow into wind slab at upper elevations.
Another crust with surface hoar above it can be found down 30 to 40 cm. We are not concerned about this layer at this time.
The snowpack is generally still very shallow with many early-season hazards and large areas of terrain below avalanche threshold. Only specific terrain features with smooth ground cover, gullies, or established avalanche paths are above the threshold for avalanches.
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Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Increasing cloud with up to 5 cm of new snow expected, southeast ridgetop wind 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -1°C.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow expected, south ridgetop wind 40 to 60 km/h, freezing level rising to 1700 m.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected, variable ridgetop wind 5 to 15 km/h, freezing level around 1800 m.
Sunday
Mostly sunny with no new snow expected, south ridgetop wind 5 to 15 km/h, freezing level rising to 2500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
- Avalanche danger is often elevated in alpine gullies where snow has accumulated.
- Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
- Travelling on skis is hazardous due to a very shallow mountain snowpack.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Southerly winds will likely redistribute new snow into wind slab on isolated features at upper treeline and in the alpine. These features include gullies, chutes and similar terrain that catchs blowing snow.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 15th, 2023 4:00PM
