Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 19th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeBe careful around wind-loaded terrain at upper elevations.
Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive on isolated features.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche was reported lately. Avalanche control over the weekend produced limited results (up to size 1).
If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
Strong winds have created variable surfaces at treeline and above. Below 1800 m, surface snow is moist. A prominent rain crust is 30 to 60 cm deep. The greatest amounts are likely around Fernie, but any leeward terrain could have deeper deposits due to the recent southwest wind.
The lower snowpack was rain-soaked and remains moist. Typical snowpack depths at treeline are 75 to 130 cm, and taper rapidly below treeline.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, alpine wind southwest 40 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -3° C, freezing level at 1500 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, alpine wind southwest 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature 0° C, freezing level at 1900 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, alpine wind west 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -1° C, freezing level at 1500 m.
Friday
Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, alpine wind southwest 40 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -1° C, freezing level at 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
- 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
Lingering pockets of wind slabs are found in lee features at higher elevations. Be cautious transitioning into wind-affected terrain, where these slabs are sitting on a crust.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 20th, 2023 4:00PM