Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 8th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada trettie, Avalanche Canada

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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

An icon showing 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

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

An icon showing 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

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 9th, 2023 4:00PM