Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 10th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
rgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for signs of instability like natural avalanches, whumpfing, and shooting cracks as you travel through the terrain.
Wind slabs at treeline may have formed over touchy surfaces like crusts and surface hoar making them larger and more sensitive to triggering.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been observed or reported in this region. However, note that we have had very few field observations. Please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report if you are heading to the backcountry.
Snowpack Summary
Friday night snowfall ranges from up to 10 cm in the west of our region and more like 2 cm in the east. Although this new snow was not accompanied by a great deal of wind, before Friday night southerly winds redistribute snow into wind slabs on west, north, and east aspects. around 10cm of recent snow has buried a layer of surface Hoar in sheltered terrain and a sun crust on south-facing slopes.
A concerning layer of surface hoar from mid-November is buried down up to 45 cm. This layer could become more reactive as slab properties above it increase with new snow and wind.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, 3 cm accumulation, winds south 15 km/h, temperature -4 C at 1500 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with sunny periods, up to 4 cm accumulation, winds north 10 km/h, temperature -6 C at 1500 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud, trace accumulation, winds northeast 13 km/h, temperature -7 C at 1500 m.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, no accumulation, winds north 10 km/h, temperature -8 C at 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
- Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Southwest winds have redistributed recent snow into wind slab on west, north and east facing slopes at treeline and above. Wind slab avalanches could step down to deeper layers resulting in large destructive avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A surface hoar layer from mid November is buried down up to 40cm in the region. As snow continues to fall adding load to the snow pack it is likely that this layer is approaching a tipping point where it will become more sensitive to rider triggering . Use extra caution at treeline where this layer is more prominent and look for signs of instability and stiff feeling snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 11th, 2022 4:00PM
