Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 1st, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada rgoddard, Avalanche Canada

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Watch for building wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline.

A thin snowpack is still presenting early-season hazards such as exposed rocks and trees.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

A few small loose dry avalanches have been reported in the region. These have mostly been in the alpine and treeline elevations. One size 2 natural observed on a northeast aspect in the alpine. If you head into the backcountry consider submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

At 1900 m our snowpack ranges between 30 and 90 cm. The top 15 to 25 cm is light low-density snow that is primed for wind transport. This sits on a variety of surfaces. At lower and even mid elevations, it is sitting on bare ground and at higher elevations, it can be found sitting on a variety of surfaces, melt-freeze crust, or surface hoar. Due to cold temperatures and a thin snowpack basal snow is expected to lack cohesion.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Clear, no cm accumulation, winds southwest 10 km/h, temperatures -10 to -15 C at 1500 m.

Friday

Cloudy with sunny periods, trace accumulation, winds southwest 15 km/h, temperatures -10 to -15 at 1500 m.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, no accumulation, winds northeast 15 km/h, temperatures -10 C at 1000 m and -5 C at 2000 m due to a temperature inversion.

Sunday

Sunny, no accumulation, winds northeast 15 to 20 km/h, temperatures -10 C at 1000 m and 0 to -5 C at 2000 m due to a temperature inversion.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Consistent winds have begun to transport Tuesday night's storm snow. This will present a problem primarily in wind-affected areas in the alpine and at treeline but less so below treeline areas where it is getting transported to bare ground.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 2nd, 2022 4:00PM

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