Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 15th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
ejones,
Avalanche Canada
Recent snow, wind, and buried weak layers make a complex recipe for avalanche hazard.
Fall back on conservative decision making!
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
A size 1.5 storm slab avalanche was triggered by a skier on Thursday near Terrace. This avalanche failed on buried surface hoar, 30 cm deep from a feature near ridge crest.
On Wednesday, a large avalanche cycle occurred. Natural and explosive triggered avalanches avalanches, up to size 3, were reported throughout the region. These avalanches mostly occurred on lee slopes or lee features. One of these avalanches was reported to have failed on buried surface hoar, 50 cm deep.
Snowpack Summary
Approximately 20 to 45 cm of recent snow has been redistributed by strong south and southwesterly alpine winds. Recent snow may have buried a layer of weak, feathery surface hoar crystals. Another layer of buried surface hoar may exist deeper in the snowpack, roughly 50 to 90 cm below the surface.
The remaining mid and lower snowpack contains several crusts from early in the season that are generally well-bonded to the surrounding snowpack.
Currently, the height of snow is highly variable and decreases significantly at lower elevations.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm snow, westerly ridge top winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperatures -5°C.
Saturday
Mostly clear with a trace of new snow, northwest ridge top winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -9°C.
Sunday
Cloudy with a trace of new snow, southwest ridgetop winds 60 to 90 km/h, treeline temperature -6°C.
Monday
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm, southerly ridge top winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -6°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs have likely formed on slopes lee to southwest winds, and lee features like ridges and gullies. Wind slabs may be more reactive where they overlie buried weak layers, such as surface hoar, now buried 30 to 100 cm deep.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 16th, 2023 4:00PM
