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 Deep Persistent Slabs.
TJ,
Avalanche Canada
The wind is forecast to increase through Friday. Watch for new wind-slabs and spin drift avalanches if ice climbing or skiing.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
A few small wind slabs reported at ridge top at Marmot Basin over the past couple of days. Widespread spin drifts were noted off steep rocky terrain due to the strong winds on Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
Trace amounts of snow fell on Thursday. The snowpack is 40-60cm deep and is weak and facetted. A surface hoar layer is down 15-20cm below 2300m. Previous strong winds have stripped exposed alpine and tree-line terrain and created wind-slabs in cross-loaded and lee features.
Weather Summary
The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Friday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: High -6 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h.
Saturday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: Low -7 °C, High -5 °C.
Ridge wind west: 20-30 km/h.
Freezing level: 1500m
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Problems
Wind Slabs
A wind event on Wednesday has created wind slabs in the alpine and down into tree line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The snow pack is very weak at the bottom. Natural activity has not been observed yet. Keep this on your radar as triggering remains possible with the shallow nature of the overall snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 15th, 2023 4:00PM
