Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 18th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
rgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
Variable winds will have produced wind slabs on all aspects in the alpine and at treeline.
Cold temperatures and shorter days should play a role in your trip planning.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been observed in our region in the last 24 hours. Several persistent slab avalanches, up to size 2, have been reported this past week in the neighbouring forecast region.
If you are heading into the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.
Snowpack Summary
Recent 25 cm of recent snow combined with variable winds has likely formed a small wind slab in all exposed alpine terrain. This overlies a sun crust on solar aspects and a layer of facets on more northerly aspects. Surface hoar can also be found under this recent snow around treeline in sheltered areas.
A weak layer consisting of facets and a crust formed in November is now buried around 50 cm deep. This layer has produced large avalanches in the past week and continues to show reactivity in snowpack tests in the neighboring forecast region.
In general, the snowpack is quite faceted with average snowpack depths of around 100 cm at treeline.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy, 2 to 4 cm accumulation, 10 to 20 km/h northeast wind, -25 C at 1500 m.
Monday
Mostly sunny, trace accumulation, 15 km/h northwest winds, alpine temperature of -24 C.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud, up to 4 cm accumulation, 13 km/h northeast wind, temperature -25 C at 1500 m.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud, 3 cm accumulation, 10 km/h northeast winds, alpine temperature of -30 C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs could be found in all exposed terrain at upper elevations. These wind slabs could be more sensitive to rider triggering where they overlie facets, a crust or surface hoar.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 19th, 2022 4:00PM
