Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 14th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
swerner,
Avalanche Canada
Recent storm snow and buried weak layers may be reactive to human triggering, especially above treeline.
In times of uncertainty conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, natural wind slabs up to `1.5 were reported.
Natural avalanche activity has tapered, but human-triggered avalanches remain possible at higher elevations, particularly where slabs sit over the weak surface hoar.
Snowpack Summary
New snow accompanied by strong wind has formed fresh wind slabs and buried previous wind-affected snow, sun crusts on steeper south aspects and surface hoar. Down 25-50 cm a rain crust has been observed and exists up to 2100 m throughout this region. The thickness of this crust tapers with elevation gain.
A concerning layer of surface hoar is now buried 60 to 90 cm deep at upper elevations and may be more reactive to human triggering above 2100 m.
The lower snowpack is a mix of rounded and faceted grains. A hard crust may be found near the ground.
Treeline snowpack depths are variable and generally range between 70 and 120 cm. Snowpack tapers rapidly as you move lower in elevation.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Mix of cloud and clear. Ridgetop wind 15 to 25 km/h from the south and temperatures near -6 C. Freezing levels valley bottom.
Friday
Cloudy with sunny periods. Ridgetop wind 20 to 45 km/h and temperatures near 0 C. Freezing levels 1400 m.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop wind 10 gusting to 45 km/h and temperatures near -2. Freezing level 1300 m.
Sunday
Mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop wind 15 to 25 km/h from the west and temperatures near +2 C. Freezing 1100 m. Alpine temperature inversion.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
- Use conservative route selection and resist venturing out into complex terrain.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong southerly winds and fresh snow has formed new wind slabs. They may be thicker and more reactive in north and east-facing terrain features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A persistent weak layer of surface hoar is buried down 60-90 cm in the snowpack. It may be most triggerable where the recent rain crust thins, or disappears at 2100 m and higher.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 15th, 2023 4:00PM
