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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 3rd, 2023–Dec 4th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, Ymir, Crawford, Kokanee, Retallack, Valhalla, Whatshan.

Storm slabs may be triggered in steep, open terrain. Keep an eye out for areas where there is more than 20 cm of snow and watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Recent new snow has buried a large, widespread surface hoar layer. These small storm slab avalanches could be triggered in specific areas like steep, open terrain features at treeline.

A MIN report from the Baldy rocks area observed that new snow was not bonding to the previous surface with small, dry loose activity.

Observations are limited this time of year. Please consider filling out a MIN report if you head out in the backcountry! 🙏

Snowpack Summary

An additional 5 cm of new snow brings snowfall totals between 15 and 20 cm over a surface hoar layer formed during the clear, cool weather over various surfaces of wind-pressed snow, sun crust, and faceted soft snow.

The mid-pack is generally faceted. Near the base of the snowpack is a crust with facets or depth hoar beneath it.

Expect early-season conditions with a shallower-than-average snowpack. At treeline and the upper end of below treeline, snowpack depths are between 50 to 80 cm. Below this, snowpack depths taper quickly. Check out the new Forecaster Blog Trouble ahead?

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with scattered flurries, 2 to 3 cm accumulation. South alpine wind 15 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday

Increasing clouds in the afternoon with flurries 3 to 5 cm, snow starting overnight, south alpine winds increasing, 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C increasing overnight with rising freezing levels.

Tuesday

Cloudy with mixed precipitation, 30 to 40 cm accumulation, snow switching to rain. Southwest alpine wind 20 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2500 to 2700m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with flurries, 5 to 8 cm accumulation. Southwest alpine wind 5 to 10 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Even a small avalanche can be harmful if it pushes you into an obstacle or a terrain trap.
  • 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

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.