Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 26th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Keep terrain selection conservative
Concern is for elevations above the freezing level where sensitive wind slabs continue to build. Large human triggered avalanches were reported
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, numerous size 2-2.5 human triggered avalanches were reported (including from explosive control). A notable size 3 avalanche was reported on a west facing slope, indicating wind direction has varied throughout this region.
These avalanches all occurred at treeline and on the crust/surface hoar layer below the recent storm snow.
Please help out your backcountry community by submitting a MIN report if you head out to the backcountry.
Snowpack Summary
Continued snow and rain are expected over the day. The warm and moist snow will settle rapidly, becoming dense and presenting as a slab. Strong southerly winds have continued to transport new snow, building deeper slabs at higher elevations. This wind affected snow sits over a crust and layer of surface hoar, increasing reactivity.
Below treeline, you'll find dirt, or shallow and wet snow.
The mid and lower snowpack is made up of a series of crusts and rounded grains and is well consolidated.
Overall, the snow depth tapers rapidly with elevation and remains shallow creating challenging travel conditions and hiding early season hazards just below the snow surface.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with 5 cm of snow on the highest peaks. Freezing levels rise towards 2000 m. Southerly winds increase, 50-70 km/h.
Wednesday
Cloudy. Freezing levels begin the day at 2000 m and drop to 1600 m over the day. Up to 15 cm of snow is possible. Treeline temperature around 5 °C. Strong southerly winds continue, 70-90 km/h.
Heavy snow continues overnight.
Thursday
Cloudy. Freezing levels 1500-1800m. 5-15 cm of wet snow expected. Treeline temperature around 4 °C. Southerly winds, 60-80 km/h.
Friday
Cloudy. Freezing levels remain above 2000 m with light rain below. Treeline temperature around 5 °C. Southerly winds, 40-60 km/h.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are expected to continue to build with continued snow and strong southerly winds. Slabs sit over a reactive surface hoar and crust layer.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 27th, 2023 4:00PM
