Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 26th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
rgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
The warm trend is likely to promote slab formation and increase their reactivity.
Assess conditions as you travel and avoid overhead hazards.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Few to no avalanche reports throughout our region. Monday's warm temperatures are expected to change this. Snow that has fallen this past weekend will likely form into a slab that may either slide from the further load of snow or/and rain or be primed for human triggering. There is also a possibility that new snow and now warming temperatures are enough to "wake up" buried weak layers causing large avalanches.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Warming temperatures have begun to affect the recent top layer of the snowpack. A consolidated slab now sits or has enveloped the previous unconsolidated weekend snowfall which totaled between 35 and 55 cm. Wind slabs have developed in the alpine and at treeline from moderate to strong southeast and southwest winds.
New snow may not bond well to previous surfaces that include small surface hoar crystals, sugary faceted grains, and hard wind-packed snow. A buried weak layer from November lies 60 to 110 cm below the surface and avalanches may slide on this layer if heavier loads are introduced by smaller avalanches running on top of them or heavy wet snow or rain.
The snowpack is still fairly thin and faceted, with roughly 130 cm at treeline.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, trace accumulation with chance of rain, 20 km/h southwest wind gusting to 65, freezing level 1500 m and falling.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy, 7 to 13 cm accumulation in the southern areas and trace in the northern, 15 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperatures around -8 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with the chance of sun, trace accumulation, 25 km/h west wind, treeline temperatures -6 to -10 °C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud, trace accumulation, 10 to 25 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures -8 to -12 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeply buried weak layers resulting in very large avalanches.
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Extra caution for areas experiencing rapidly warming temperatures for the first time.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Weekend snow that came in cold and light will be affected by a warm up. This will promote the formation of slabs and will likely increase avalanche activity. New snow may not bond well to previous surfaces and could be easily triggered by riders.
At higher elevations wind slabs are likely due to moderate to strong south southwest winds.
Possible buried weak layers could be triggered by avalanches in motion and result in large scale avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 27th, 2022 4:00PM
