Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 8th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
trettie,
Avalanche Canada
Use caution at all elevations. New snow and wind will likely form wind slab in exposed terrain and add to the slab forming above a buried surface hoar layer.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported in the past couple days.
If you do go into the backcountry, consider submitting a Mountain Information Network report.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 10 cm of new snow accompanied by southerly wind will form wind slab on northerly aspects. This new snow will also bury another layer of surface hoar at 1200 m, below this elevation it will bury a crust. 30 to 60 cm of previous storm snow sits above a large layer of surface hoar. This layer likely exists on all aspects above 1200 m.
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.
Check out this MIN from our field team.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy with a couple centimeters of new snow expected, South alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -8°C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected, southeast alpine wind 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -1°C.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected, west alpine wind 20 to 60 km/h, freezing level rising to 1400 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected, southwest alpine wind increasing to 40 to 60 km/h, freezing level falling to valley bottom.
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.
- Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
30 to 60 cm of previous storm snow is forming a slab over large surface hoar crystals. Surface hoar is more likely to be well preserved at treeline but could exist at all elevations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
New snow accompanied by southwest wind will form wind slab on north and east aspects at treeline and above. Strong wind speeds mean that wind slab may be found further down slope than expected.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 9th, 2023 4:00PM
