Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 22nd, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs may have formed at higher elevations, approach ridgelines and mid slopes rollovers with caution.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches have been reported, we expect some natural avalanche activity may have occurred during the storm.
If you do go into the backcountry, consider submitting a Mountain Information Network report.
Snowpack Summary
10-20 cm of storm snow has fallen over previously wind-affected surfaces at higher elevations.
Lower elevations received mostly rain and are likely to have moist snow or a surface crust.
Two different surface hoar layers have been reported in the upper snowpack (up to 40 cm deep) and appear to be most prominent at treeline and below. Snowpack depths at treeline are 50 to 100 cm.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with flurries, westerly winds 20-40 km/h. Freezing levels at valley bottom.
Saturday
Mainly cloudy with possible flurries, southerly winds 50 km/h. Freezing levels rise to 500 m, treeline temperature -5 °C.
Sunday
Mainly cloudy with southerly winds, 60-90 km/h. Freezing levels remain around 500 m. Treeline temperatures near -5 °C.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud with southerly winds, 60-80 km/h. Freezing levels rise towards 1000 m, treeline temperatures around -2 °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.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent storm snow has formed wind slabs in exposed terrain. Slabs may be small but reactive to human triggers.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Buried surface hoar can be found 30-50 cm below the snow surface. It is reported to be deeper and more reactive in the western part of the region.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 23rd, 2023 4:00PM
