Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 14th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada ejones, Avalanche Canada

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The presence of buried surface hoar layers has created a challenging snowpack.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few natural wind slab avalanches, size 1 to 2, were reported yesterday in the Telkwa Range.

If you do go into the backcountry, consider submitting a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

Widespread wind-affected surfaces exist at higher elevations with roughly 30 cm of recent snow that has been redistributed by strong southwest alpine winds.

Two different surface hoar layers have been reported in the upper half of the snowpack and appear to be most prominent at treeline and below.

In general, the snowpack is still shallow for this time of year with snowpack depths at treeline ranging from 50 to 100 cm. Early season hazards are still a concern.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly clear with no precipitation, southwest alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -12°C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with a trace of new snow possible, southwest alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Saturday

Sunny with no precipitation, southwest alpine winds 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with trace amounts of snow, southwest alpine winds 40 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
  • 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

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Watch for pockets of deeper, wind deposited snow in alpine features like ridges and gullies.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Buried layers of weak surface hoar crystals remain problematic in any areas that have enough snow to avalanche.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Dec 15th, 2023 4:00PM

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