Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 2nd, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

isnowsell, Avalanche Canada

Lizard-Flathead, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard.

Expect to find more cohesive slab properties in steeper, more exposed terrain.

Small avalanches could potentially scrub down to the weak, sugary, lower snowpack creating large avalanches.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Numerous reports of small loose dry avalanches (sluffing) within the recently fallen low-density surface snow. Explosive runs since the end of Wednesday's storm, have only produced a few slab avalanches up to size 2.

Snowpack Summary

50-80 cm of recent storm snow is overlaying a generally weak, sugary, faceted lower snowpack. With recent cold temperatures, surface snow remains low-density and is generally lacking much of a cohesive slab property. A widespread rain curst remains on the ground at treeline and below treeline.

At treeline, snowpack depths vary from 100-180 cm.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Cloudy with flurries. Light westerly winds, with moderate gusts. Alpine temperatures are around -15 to -20 C.

Saturday

Clearing skies with a mix of sun and cloud, ridgetop winds remain light from the west. While temperatures increase very slightly, still hovering around -15 C in the alpine.

Sunday

A mix of sun and clouds, isolated flurries, light to moderate easterly winds at ridgetop, and alpine temperatures around -10 C.

Monday

Cloudy with a trace amount of snow, ridgetop winds are generally light, with strong gusts. Alpine temperatures are around -15 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Problems

Storm Slabs

The recent storm snow lacks cohesion. Although in areas where the upper snowpack has settled into a slab or the wind has had an effect, you could find reactive slabs. It is possible small avalanches in the upper snowpack could scrub down to the facets, creating a larger then expected avalanche.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 3rd, 2022 4:00PM