Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 12th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada isnowsell, Avalanche Canada

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Heavy snow and strong winds will elevate the avalanche hazard throughout Wednesday.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few slab and loose avalanches (sz 1 to 2) were reported on Monday, all on southerly aspects and likely triggered by solar input on Monday afternoon.

With the current winds and forecast snow, we anticipate natural avalanche activity to occur throughout the day on Wednesday.

If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

Expect to find widespread wind-affected surfaces at higher elevations with up to 70 cm of recent snow being redistributed by strong to extreme alpine winds. In more sheltered areas this recent snow may overlie large, feathery surface hoar.

The mid snowpack contains several crusts from November that are generally well-bonded to the surrounding snowpack. The height of snow at treeline is roughly 150 cm and tapers rapidly below treeline.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with 10 to 30 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 70 to 110 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 50 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, southwest alpine winds 40 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature -7 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 60 to 90 km/h, treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Widespread storm and wind slab formation will continue throughout the day Wednesday.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Dec 13th, 2023 4:00PM

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