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

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 30th, 2023–Dec 31st, 2023
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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

Check out this blog post for some insight into the current shallow yet complex snowpack.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Have a look at our most recent blog post that highlights several large, scary avalanches occurring over the last couple of weeks.

No significant avalanches have been reported over the last few days.

Snowpack Summary

Variable wind-affected snow surfaces at treeline and above. Below treeline a crust exists at or near the surface.

The mid-pack remains complex with numerous layers. Of particular note are a hard crust from the early December rain event down roughly 50 cm and most importantly a layer of preserved surface hoar down roughly 50 to 90 cm.

At the bottom of the snowpack is a layer of facetted snow, particularly in shallower alpine terrain.

Currently, the snowpack is particularly complex, with considerable variation across different locations.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -2 °C, freezing levels dropping to 1000 m by the morning.

Sunday

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow (up to 10 cm in the Selkirks), southwest alpine winds 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -4 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with no precipitation, southwest alpine winds 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -7 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with no precipitation, southeast alpine winds 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
  • Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

A layer of surface hoar is down 50 to 90 cm; an ideal depth for large, human-triggered avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

With basal facets, shallow snowpack areas are the most likely trigger points.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3.5