Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 29th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada IG, Avalanche Canada

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High freezing levels with intense solar could push us into Considerable hazard, pay attention to the temperature!

Please don't get complacent on your search for fresh tracks. The persistent slab problem is worth considering when pushing into bigger objectives.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A team triggered several explosive controlled avalanches in steep north facing terrain at treeline on Wed. Avalanches were small and triggered soft wind slabs up to 40cm deep.

No new natural avalanches have been observed since Dec 23rd.

A human-triggered avalanche occurred on Video peak Saturday afternoon involving a group of 3, no injuries reported.

Recently significant human-triggered avalanches failing on the Dec 1st surface hoar layer: Balu Pk & Ursus Minor.

Weather Summary

Saturday will be a warm day, freezing levels will extend up to 2500m! The ridge of high pressure breaks down Saturday and abit of snow is on the way

Tonight: Clear periods. Alp Low 3 °C. Winds S 15-30km/hr.

Sat: A mix of sun & cloud with wet flurries. High 4°C. (fzl) 2500m. Winds: SW 13-35.

Sun: Cloudy with Flurries. Light snow, High -3°C. Fzl 1700m. Light W winds.

Mon: Cloudy. High -7 °C. Freezing level: 1100m. Light S wind.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep slopes when air temperatures are warm, or solar radiation is strong.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Avoid convexities, steep unsupported terrain and rocky outcroppings.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Winds have redistributed snow in the Alpine and on lee features at treeline. Expect to find it most reactive at ridge top and in lee or cross-loaded features. This layer will be more reactive if it warms up.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A weak layer of surface hoar down 50-100 cm is slowly gaining strength. Most likely areas to trigger this problem are in shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported alpine terrain. Use caution in terrain that has not previously avalanched.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Dec 30th, 2023 4:00PM

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