Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 10th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
bchristie,
Avalanche Canada
Slabs may be triggerable by riders in wind-loaded features at upper elevations.
Early season hazards exist. A frozen crust may hold up rider or hiker, but stumps and rocks are barely buried.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Signs of instability were reported in wind-loaded alpine areas on Friday. If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
15-35 cm of snow sits on a hard melt-freeze crust. A spotty surface hoar layer may be found about 20 to 30 cm deep. It is likely that the intense rain from earlier this week destroyed this layer, but it could linger in isolated features.
The middle and base of the snowpack may still be moist from the rain, though weak, faceted grains could persist where the snowpack is dry.
Snowpack depths at treeline are approximately 30 to 60 cm. The snowpack tapers drastically with elevation below treeline.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy. 5-10 cm of snow expected. Light northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline low -5°C.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud. No new snow expected. Light northwest wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. No new snow expected. Moderate southerly wind. Treeline temperature around -5 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. No new snow expected. Strong to extreme south or southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -2°C, with a possible above freezing layer at high elevations.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
- 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
Wind Slabs
Recent snow may be reactive where wind has loaded deeper deposits over a crust. These pockets are most likely found at upper elevations, in leeward terrain features such as ridgecrests and roll-overs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 11th, 2023 4:00PM
