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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 17th, 2023–Dec 18th, 2023
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
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

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

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.

Avalanche Problems

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

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