Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 12th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet.
lbaker,
Avalanche Canada
Be careful with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, a few size 1 glide slab avalanches were reported. These were triggered by prolonged warm temperatures.
Thank you to everyone who has been sharing observations on the Mountain Information Network. All the information and photos are very appreciated by forecasters!
Snowpack Summary
The snow surface is moist or in various stages of refreezing into a thick melt freeze crust at all elevations. Below the crust, 10 to 25 cm of storm snow sits overtop a series of crusts and rounded grains, the snowpack is generally well consolidated.
Overall, the snow depth remains relatively shallow, creating challenging travel conditions and numerous hazards at or just below the snow surface across all elevations.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Mainly clear skies with no precipitation, southwest alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature +1 °C, an above freezing layer remains between 1700 and 2500 m overnigh
Wednesday
Mainly sunny with no precipitation, southwest alpine winds 40 to 70 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C, freezing level drops to 1500 m by afternoon.
Thursday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries 2 to 7 mm accumulation, southwest alpine winds 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -3 °C, freezing level 1000 m.
Friday
Cloudy with isolated flurries 2 to 5 mm accumulation, southwest alpine winds 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature +1 °C, freezing level 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.
- Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
- Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
Problems
Loose Wet
Up to 25 cm of recent snow, overlies a rain crust at all elevations which provides an excellent bed surface for avalanches. This problem will become less likely in the afternoon as surfaces begin to refreeze with dropping freezing levels.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 13th, 2023 4:00PM
