Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 6th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada rgoddard, Avalanche Canada

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An incoming storm system brings new snow and wind.

Avalanche activity is expected to increase as amounts accumulate.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported. An incoming storm is expected to change this with an increase in avalanche activity over the next few days.

Snowpack Summary

An incoming storm system will bring up to 30 cm to areas of our region by the end of the day Wednesday. This new snow will be covering a variety of layers, mainly surface hoar and facets. On steep southerly aspects and at higher elevations the new snow may instead lie on a crust.

Last week strong outflow winds scoured easterly slopes, created hard slabs on west and south slopes, and cross-loaded others.

A layer that formed in mid-November can be found down 70 to 100 cm deep at treeline and above. This layer consists of a crust below 1200 m and a layer of surface hoar above this elevation. This layer has not shown recent signs of instability.

The depth of the snowpack at treeline varies widely from 100 to 200 cm and tapers rapidly below treeline. Many early-season hazards such as rocks, stumps, and open creeks exist below treeline.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy, 10 cm accumulation, winds west 30 to 40 km/h, -8 C at 1500 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy, 10 to 15 cm accumulation, winds southerly 40 to 50 km/h, -7 C at 1500 m.

Thursday

Cloudy, 10 to 15 cm accumulation, winds southwest 30 gusting to 60 km/h, -5 C at 1500 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy, 8 to 13 cm accumulation, winds south 15 to 20 km/h, -5 C at 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

10 to 20 cm is expected to fall around every 12 hours. This will be accompanied with moderate to strong winds. New snow will cover a variety surfaces that may not promote proper bonding.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 7th, 2022 4:00PM