Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Dec 18 – 19, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Buried weak layers are likely susceptible to human-triggering. Choose low-consequence terrain for safer riding.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Watch for pockets of deeper, wind deposited snow in alpine features like ridges and gullies.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Buried layers of weak surface hoar crystals remain problematic in any areas that have enough snow to avalanche.

Confidence

Moderate

Snowpack Summary

Widespread wind-affected surfaces exist at higher elevations with roughly 30 cm of recent snow that has been redistributed by strong southwest alpine winds.

Two different surface hoar layers have been reported in the upper half of the snowpack and appear to be most prominent at treeline and below.

In general, the snowpack is still shallow for this time of year with snowpack depths at treeline ranging from 50 to 100 cm. Early season hazards are still a concern.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Clear with some clouds, no accumulation, ridgetop winds southerly 15 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy, trace to 5 cm accumulation, ridgetop winds southwest 20 km/h, treeline temperature -4 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy, 5 to 10 cm accumulation, ridgetop winds south southeast 20 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy, 1 to 5 cm accumulation,, ridgetop winds southerly 80 km/h, treeline temperatures -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.

Regions covered