Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 13th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
mbender,
Avalanche Canada
Flurries through the day combined with moderate to strong winds will promote wind slab formation at upper elevations.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Recent avalanche observations are limited to loose dry avalanches running to size 1 in steep terrain.
Snowpack Summary
30-55 cm of snow sits on a 5-15 cm melt-freeze crust. Below this crust you may find moist snow to ground, or dry, possibly refrozen snow and a layer of somewhat preserved surface hoar around 60 cm deep.
Triggering this layer of surface hoar may be possible in areas where the overlying crust is thinner and less supportive. We recommend treating this layer as suspect while we await more observations.
Snow depth is generally 70-110 cm at treeline, tapering quickly below. The mid and lower snowpack may contain a weak facet layer in shallower areas.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Mainly Cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1-3 cm. Moderate west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -7 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with flurries, accumulation 1-4 cm. Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5°C.
FridayMainly cloudy. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4°C.
SaturdayMix of sun and cloud. Moderate southwest wind. Treeline temperature -6°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Surface hoar distribution is highly variable. Avoid generalizing your observations.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may become more reactive with additional snow and wind through the day.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
This surface hoar layer was seen after the rain storm in some areas, 4-20mm in size. It is most likely to be found the northern part of the region.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 14th, 2023 4:00PM
