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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 4th, 2023–Dec 5th, 2023
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

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

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.

Avalanche Problems

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

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