Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 7th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
mconlan,
Avalanche Canada
Conservative terrain travel is recommended, as riders could trigger slabs that rest on a buried weak layer.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Widespread natural avalanche activity was observed over the past few days during intense stormy conditions. Storm slabs released at higher elevations and loose wet avalanches at lower elevations. Several remotely triggered slabs were reported on the surface hoar layer at treeline and above.
Looking forward, riders could trigger storm slab avalanches at higher elevations, particularly where slabs sit on the surface hoar described in the Snowpack Summary.
Snowpack Summary
Between 30 and 60 cm of snow accumulated during stormy conditions this week above 1900 m. Rain fell at lower elevations, which will freeze into a hard melt-freeze crust. Storm snow at treeline and alpine elevations sit on a weak layer of surface hoar crystals. Many avalanches released in steep terrain and have destroyed this layer, but it likely still lingers in isolated steep terrain features and on shallower slopes.
The middle and base of the snowpack is largely weak and faceted. A hard crust may be found near the ground.
Treeline snowpack depths are variable and generally range between 50 and 100 cm. Snowpack tapers rapidly as you move lower in elevation.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy with trace snow, west alpine wind 10 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, northwest alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -9 °C.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud with up to 5 cm of snow, south alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with no precipitation, south alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Choose conservative terrain and watch for clues of instability.
- Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
- 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
Riders could trigger storm slab avalanches, particularly where they rest on a weak layer of surface hoar crystals. The most likely terrain features are where the snowpack is relatively smooth and uniform at higher elevations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 8th, 2023 4:00PM
