Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 9th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada wlewis, Avalanche Canada

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Strong winds will make for challenging backcountry travel. Watch for pockets of fresh wind loading.

Early season hazards lurk just below the snows surface, take it easy.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches have been reported in the last 3 days. Reactivity is expected to linger in wind affected features.

Please continue to submit MIN reports and support your backcountry community.

Snowpack Summary

Strong winds will strip snow from south and west facing slopes, redistributing it onto north and east facing terrain features - or simply blowing it away where wind speeds are high enough.

A layer of surface hoar can be found around 30-50 cm deep. This is most concerning in wind-loaded features.

A crust with sugary facets beneath it can be found just above the ground. The snowpack is still shallow for this time of year. Average snowpack depths at treeline range from 65 to 90 cm.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with up to 10-15 cm of snow. Southwest winds increase,70-90 km/h. Treeline temperatures around -6 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow. Strong westerly winds ease over the day, to 40 km/h. Freezing levels rise to 1200 m by afternoon. Treeline temperatures around -2 °C.

Monday

Sunny breaks in the afternoon. No snow is expected. Freezing levels return to valley bottom, with treeline temperatures around -7 °C. Westerly winds, 20-30 km/h.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. Strong southwest winds return, 70-90 km/h. Light snowfall possible.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New and old wind slabs are expected to be found on east and north facing slopes. Greatest reactivity will be found where slabs sit over surface hoar.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 10th, 2023 4:00PM