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.
rgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
Buried weak layers may be susceptible to human-triggering.
When in doubt, seek out low-consequence terrain for the safest riding.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday a machine triggered size 1.5 avalanche on an east aspect at treeline was reported. It may have failed on buried surface hoar.
A few natural wind slab avalanches, size 1 to 2, were reported on Thursday on the Grizzly Plateau by the field team. These avalanches triggered additional slabs at treeline. We suspect these failed on a weak layer of surface hoar buried 25cm down.
If you do go into the backcountry, consider submitting a Mountain Information Network report.
Snowpack Summary
Widespread wind-affected surfaces exist at higher elevations with roughly 30 cm of recent snow that has been redistributed by strong southwest alpine winds.
Two different surface hoar layers have been reported in the upper half of the snowpack and appear to be most prominent at treeline and below.
In general, the snowpack is still shallow for this time of year with snowpack depths at treeline ranging from 50 to 100 cm. Early season hazards are still a concern.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Clear with clouds increasing by morning, no accumulation, ridgetop winds southerly 15 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy, trace to 5 cm accumulation, ridgetop winds southwest 20 km/h, treeline temperature -4 °C.
Monday
Cloudy, 5 cm accumulation and continuing into the evening, ridgetop winds south southeast 20 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy, 5 to 10 cm accumulation by morning and another 5 cm throughout the day, ridgetop winds southerly light gusting to 40 km/h, treeline temperatures -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
- Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for pockets of deeper, wind deposited snow in alpine features like ridges and gullies.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Buried layers of weak surface hoar crystals remain problematic in any areas that have enough snow to avalanche.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 17th, 2023 4:00PM
