Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 16th, 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
Mild temperatures could increase the reactivity of buried weak layers to human triggers. Stick to simple terrain and minimise overhead hazard.
Summary
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches have been reported in the region.The buried surface hoar layers show continued reactivity in snowpack testing.
If you're heading out in the backcountry, please consider sharing any observations on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Warm temperatures and sun may moisten the surface snow and break down crusts likely formed overnight. A widespread crust is buried around 10-20 cm deep, under wind affected snow.
At treeline and above, two layers of concern exist, buried around 30 and 50 cm deep. Both layers consist of a crust that tapers at higher elevations covered by a layer of fragile surface hoar in sheltered areas. No recent avalanche activity has been reported on these layers but they continue to be reactive in snowpack tests. These layers may become reactive to human triggers during the warming.
The snowpack remains shallow for the time of year. Snowpack depths at treeline range from 80 to 120 cm.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy with possible flurries. Light and variable winds. Freezing levels remain around 1000 m.
Sunday
Partly cloudy with no snowfall. Southwest winds, 20-40 km/h. Freezing levels reach 1000 m with treeline temperatures around -2 °C. An above freezing layer is expected in in the afternoon, from 2000-3000 m.
Monday
Partly cloud with no snowfall. Southwest winds 20-40 km/h. Freezing levels remain at 1000 m with treeline temperatures around -2 °C. The above freezing layer remains, from 1500-2500 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with light snow. Southwest winds, 20-40 km/h. Freezing levels remain around 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
- 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.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Thin wind slabs may continue to be reactive, especially where they sit over a crust or surface hoar.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Large surface hoar is buried 30-50 cm deep. Triggering this layer is most likely above 1900 m, and warm temperatures may increase reactivity. Investigate open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 17th, 2023 4:00PM
