Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 14th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada jminifie, Avalanche Canada

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Avalanche Danger will largely be driven by the wind over the short-term. North winds will deposit any loose snow into new wind slabs through reverse-loading. Look for higher quality riding in sheltered terrain features at lower elevations.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported recently.

Thank you for the MIN reports. They are extremely helpful to us! If you head into the backcountry please submit a MIN report!

Snowpack Summary

In general, the snowpack is highly wind affected resulting in a wide variation in snowpack depths. Depths at treeline range from 50 to 125cm.

Upper Snowpack

20cm of loose snow will be redistributed by north winds and deposited into wind slabs.

Mid-pack

Generally well settled. A mid-November crust and facet layer is down approximately 60cm from the surface and is reportedly bonding well.

Lower-pack

Weak sugary snow (basal facets).

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Partly starry. No new snow. Winds fro the west-northwest at 25km/h. Temperatures at -5ËšC in the alpine.

Thursday

Partly cloudy. No new snow. Winds from the northwest at 40km/h. Temperatures at -7ËšC for most of the day.

Friday

Mostly cloudy. Flurries beginning late in the day. Moderate winds from the northwest decreasing through the day. High of -8ËšC and a low of -12ËšC

Saturday

Mostly cloudy. Up to 5cm of new snow. Winds will vary in direction and speed but expect around 20km/h. Temperature starting at -12ËšC and decreasing to -17ËšC by the end of the day.

Friday

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

A good amount of north wind is forecast for the coming days. This will result in reverse loading and wind slab formation in places we don't normally expect it. Pay attention to the snow beneath you and watch for signs of instability including shooting cracks and stiffer, drum-like snow. This will most likely be found below ridge lines on the side walls of steep gullies.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 15th, 2022 4:00PM

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