Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 17th, 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 and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada jpercival, Avalanche Canada

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Buried weak layers are likely susceptible to human-triggering. Choose low-consequence terrain for safer riding.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Snowpack Summary

Widespread wind-affected surfaces exist at higher elevations with roughly 30 cm of recent snow that has been redistributed by strong southwest alpine winds.

Two different surface hoar layers have been reported in the upper half of the snowpack and appear to be most prominent at treeline and below.

In general, the snowpack is still shallow for this time of year with snowpack depths at treeline ranging from 50 to 100 cm. Early season hazards are still a concern.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Clear with some clouds, no accumulation, ridgetop winds southerly 15 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy, trace to 5 cm accumulation, ridgetop winds southwest 20 km/h, treeline temperature -4 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy, 5 to 10 cm accumulation, ridgetop winds south southeast 20 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy, 1 to 5 cm accumulation,, ridgetop winds southerly 80 km/h, treeline temperatures -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Watch for pockets of deeper, wind deposited snow in alpine features like ridges and gullies.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Buried layers of weak surface hoar crystals remain problematic in any areas that have enough snow to avalanche.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Dec 18th, 2023 4:00PM

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