Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 20th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada jleblanc, Avalanche Canada

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Low avalanche hazard doesn't mean no danger. As you gain elevation, assess continually the conditions.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche was reported lately and avalanche control did not trigger any avalanches recently.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

On sheltered locations, 10-20 cm of snow overlies a layer of surface hoar, while a melt-freeze crust is found on steep solar aspects. Surface snow is moist from 1700 m and below. A prominent rain crust is found 35 to 65 cm deep, which is strong enough to cap another preserved layer of surface hoar found in most areas. There have not been significant results on this layer during tests and there has been no recent avalanche activity attributed to this layer in the region.

Typical snowpack depths at treeline are 70 to 100 cm, and taper rapidly below treeline.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, alpine wind southwest 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature 0° C, freezing level 1300 m, possible temperature inversion.

Thursday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, alpine wind southwest 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -2° C, freezing level 1600 m, possible temperature inversion.

Friday

Cloudy, snow 5-10 cm, alpine wind southwest 40 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature -1° C, freezing level 1700 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and clouds, no precipitation, alpine wind northwest 40 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -8° C, freezing level at 800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Carefully evaluate bigger terrain features on an individual basis before committing to them.
  • 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

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A preserved layer of surface hoar is found down 35 to 65 cm. At higher elevations, where the weak layer is not being capped by a rain crust, it may be reactive to human triggers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Dec 21st, 2023 4:00PM