Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 11th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
cgarritty,
Avalanche Canada
Raise your guard if you reach high enough elevations that surface crust is very thin or completely absent. Recent snow accumulations that escaped rainfall may still react to a human trigger.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches have been reported recently.
Some degree of avalanche cycle likely occurred as heavy snowfall shifted to rain on Sunday, although surface roughness likely greatly limited avalanche distribution, size, and destructive potential.
If you are out in the backcountry please consider filiing out a MIN report.
Snowpack Summary
In most areas of the Island, a thin new surface crust now tops 10-20 cm of storm snow from the weekend.
This snow sits on a combination of 1-3 cm crust and rimed surface hoar that constituted the pre-storm surface. Observations in the Mt Washington area on Sunday showed minimal bonding of the new snow to this layer.
Although the snow below this crust (and likely the snow above, as well) was previously moist from rain, it is for the most part dry and not particularly dense or consolidated.
In general the snowpack is still quite shallow with many early season hazards. Only specific terrain features with smooth ground cover and gullies are above threshold for avalanches.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Clear with cloud below 2000 m. Southeast alpine wind 5-10 km/h. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.
Tuesday
High cloud increasing with embedded cloud below 2000 m. South alpine wind 30-70 km/h, increasing. Treeline temperature around 3°C with freezing level to 2700 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with flurries bringing 10-20 cm of new snow, rain below about 1000 m. South alpine wind 25 to 40 km/h, easing. Treeline temperature around 0°C with freezing level of 1300 m, falling over the day.
Thursday
Clearing with cloud remaining below 1500 m. South alpine wind 10-15 km/h. Treeline temperature +1 with freezing level to 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avalanche danger is often elevated in alpine gullies where snow has accumulated.
- Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
- Travelling on skis is hazardous due to a very shallow mountain snowpack.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent wind slab formations may remain reactive to human triggering in high alpine locations that escaped rainfall. Think about gullies and other similar features that have smooth ground cover.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 12th, 2023 4:00PM
