Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 19th, 2023 4:00PM

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

jleblanc, Avalanche Canada

Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Be 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 -3Â° C, freezing level at 1500 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, alpine wind southwest 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature 0Â° C, freezing level at 1900 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, alpine wind west 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -1Â° C, freezing level at 1500 m.

Friday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, alpine wind southwest 40 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -1Â° 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

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 20th, 2023 4:00PM