Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 19th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
isnowsell,
Avalanche Canada
Assess for changing weather conditions. Snowfall during the day may exceed forecast amounts in regions along the US border. While recently formed wind slabs may take some more time to bond to the underlying, firm surfaces.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
A few small wind slab releases have been reported over the weekend through the MIN.
If you head out into the mountains, please share your photos or observations on the Mountain Information Network. Your information helps us understand local conditions!
Snowpack Summary
Surface: Up to 30cm of snow since Saturday, which continues to be redistributed by mostly Northeasterly winds.
Upper snowpack: New snow has buried various firm, previously wind-affected surfaces. In sheltered terrain at lower elevations, the new snow overlays large surface hoar and a sun crust on solar aspects.
Mid snowpack: Generally bonding and well-settled.
Lower snowpack: Consists of numerous crusts and facets layers. A layer of note, buried in late November continues to show isolated reactivity in test profiles.
Snowpack depth at treeline is around 200 cm deep but decreases rapidly below 1500 m.
Weather Summary
Monday night
Cloudy with a trace of snow by the morning. Light to moderate Southwest winds and temperatures around -20 C in the alpine.
Tuesday
Cloudy with snow throughout the day. Amounts generally range from 10 to 20 cm. Areas closest to the USA border could potentially see up to 30 cm. Light to moderate Southwest winds and temperatures around -15 to -25 C in the alpine.
Wednesday
Sunny, with no precipitation. Temperatures -20 to -30 C and Moderate to strong Easterly winds in the alpine.
Thursday
Sunny with periods of cloud. No Precipitation. Temperatures -20 to -30 C and moderate Easterly winds in the alpine.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Cold, northerly winds are redistributing new snow into potentially reactive windslabs. With cold temperatures windslabs will take longer then usual to stabilize and bond to the underlaying, hard surfaces.
Be especially cautious at treeline elevations where the overlaying slab may sit on top of large feathery, surface hoar crystals.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 20th, 2022 4:00PM
