Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 4th, 2023 1:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada Mikey, Avalanche Canada

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Warm temperature and snow will quickly change the avalanche hazard. Caution for ice climbers.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed. Expect to see some activity with the change in weather.

Snowpack Summary

A major change in the weather will happen on Tuesday and Wednesday. Approach all terrain with caution.

Expect up to 10cm of snow with winds on Tuesday and another 10cm on Wednesday which has the potential to create a reactive wind slab at tree line and in the alpine. Warm temperatures and rain also has the potential to make any slabs that are already present in lee features and cross loaded gullies to be more sensitive to triggering. Any new or old slabs will now be sitting on an extremely weak base comprised of facets, depth hoar, crusts and surface hoar.

Weather Summary

Expect temperatures to rise on Tuesday with freezing levels going as high as 2600m. One can expect 5-10cm of snow by late evening but with low confidence in where the rain/snow line will be in relation to treeline elevation. Winds are forecast to be 50-60km/h from the SW.

Wednesday

Expect another 5-10cm of snow with slightly cooler temperatures and a freezing level of 2100m. Winds are expected to diminish to 20-30km/h from the SW.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
  • Avoid terrain traps where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

This new wind slab will be sitting on the weak basal crystals.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Slabs are reactive on the basal facets and possibly an intact crust at lower elevations. These will run far and fast if they trigger.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Dec 5th, 2023 4:00PM