Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 8th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
RJ,
Avalanche Canada
The snowpack is still adjusting to the load from this week's storm and is structurally weak. Make conservative decisions until the new snow has had time to settle and stabilize.
Good skiing is out there but the threat of early season hazards is real and just below the surface. Read a recent report from Parkers here.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Numerous storm slab avalanches released during Tuesday's storm, failing on the Dec 2 surface hoar, facet and melt-freeze crust layer.
More information on a size 1.5 near Parkers ridge behind Hilda hostel can be found here (Here).
Snowpack Summary
30cm of new snow from this week's storm has formed a persistent slab. This overlies a weak surface hoar and facet layer or a melt-freeze crust on south and west aspects. The snowpack is 35-45cm in depth with a weak facetted base.
A rain crust exists below 1800m.
Weather Summary
The Mountain Weather Forecast is available from Avalanche Canada https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Saturday
Cloudy with sunny periods. Isolated flurries with trace amounts of snow. Southwest ridgetop winds 20 km/h gusting 45 km/h. Alpine: High -12 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with sunny periods. Isolated flurries with trace amounts of snow. Westerly ridgetop winds 15-25 km/h. Alpine: Low -12 °C, High -8 °C.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Don't let the desire for deep powder pull you into high consequence terrain.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Failing on Dec 2 surface hoar, facet and melt-freeze crust layer. Slab stiffer and deeper where wind loaded.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The snow pack is already very weak at the bottom and the new snow is adding to its stress.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 9th, 2023 4:00PM
