Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 18th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
jpercival,
Avalanche Canada
The potential exists for recent storm snow over surface hoar to step down and trigger larger slabs in sheltered lee terrain. Select conservative terrain and assess how new snow is bonding.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday a size 2.5 glide slab avalanche was observed in the alpine. Numerous both loose dry and slab avalanches up-to size 2 had been observed in steep unsupported terrain with a few of them running far in the track. All of the other professional operations in this areas did not observe any new avalanches.
On Wednesday, a large avalanche cycle occurred. Natural and explosive triggered avalanches avalanches, up to size 3, were reported throughout the region.
Snowpack Summary
In the Alpine, recently buried surface hoar is near the surface, with the latest snow redistributed into a soft slab by previous southwesterly winds. The Nov 26th layer is situated down 100 to 200 cm. Below treeline, a trace of new snow overlays small surface hoar. The mid and lower snowpack is dense and well-settled, containing various crust layers. Snowpack depths vary, averaging around 250 cm.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, trace to 5 cm accumulation, ridgetop winds southwest 20 km/h, treeline temperature - 10°C.
Tuesday
Cloudy, 1 to 5 cm accumulation, ridgetop winds south southeast 20 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy, 1 to 5 cm accumulation,, ridgetop winds southerly 80 km/h, treeline temperatures -6 °C.
Thursday
Cloudy, 10 to 15 cm accumulation, ridgetop winds south southeast 50 km/h, treeline temperature -2 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
- Choose relatively conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Treeline avalanche sensitivity may heighten with more snow,
A persistent slab problem, 100-200 cm down on a melt-freeze crust, may be triggered by a significant load, such as a cornice failure or large explosive.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Expect the sensitivity of this problem to increase with additional wind transport.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 19th, 2023 4:00PM
