Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 20th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low.

Avalanche Canada bchristie, Avalanche Canada

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Travel carefully due to early season hazards. Use normal caution on slopes that hold enough snow to avalanche.

Rain and warm temperatures continue to shrink an already thin snowpack.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

There have been no reported avalanches in our region.

Please help out your backcountry community by submitting a MIN report if you head out to the backcountry.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack has rapidly diminished over the past several days due to warm temperatures and rain. Uncompacted areas are likely wet to the ground. Snow depth is 50-100 cm and decreases rapidly below the 1000-meter elevation mark.

Only specific terrain features with smooth ground cover, gullies, or established avalanche paths are above the threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy. Light rain expected. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 3°C. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.

Thursday

Cloudy. Light rain/snow expected. Freezing level around 1500 m. Treeline temperature around 1 °C. Moderate to Strong southwest ridgetop wind.

Friday

Mostly cloudy. 2-5 cm of snow at upper elevations. Freezing level around 1000 m. Treeline temperature around -3 °C. Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind.

Saturday

Partly cloudy. No new snow expected. Freezing level around 750 m. Treeline temperature around -2 °C. Light southwest ridgetop wind.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
  • Winter conditions may exist in gullies, alpine bowls, and around ridgelines.

Valid until: Dec 21st, 2023 4:00PM