Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 12th, 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
Reduce your exposure to avalanche terrain if the temperature is above 0°C. Make conservative terrain choices. Recent storm snow and buried weak layers may be reactive to human triggering.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, numerous natural dry and wet loose avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported. Older wind slabs up to size 2 were also reported. We suspect they were from the previous storm.
Natural avalanche activity has tapered, but human-triggered avalanches remain likely at higher elevations. Consider the potential for remotely-triggering slopes above and adjacent to you.
Snowpack Summary
The recent 30 to 50 cm of storm snow has likely been redistributed into deeper deposits on north and east-facing slopes at higher elevations. This sits over a rain crust that has been observed 1800 m to 2200 m throughout this region.
A concerning layer of surface hoar is now buried 60 to 90 cm deep at upper elevations.
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 60 and 100 cm. Snowpack tapers rapidly as you move lower in elevation.
Weather Summary
Tuesday night
Mainly cloudy. Alpine wind 20-30 km/h from the south. Alpine temperatures around 0 C with an alpine temperature inversion, are expected to last for 12-15 hours. Freezing level valley bottom.
Wednesday
Mainly cloudy. Alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h from the south. Alpine temperatures are near +1 C and the freezing level sits near 1000 m. Alpine inversion.
Thursday
Cloudy with snowfall, 5 to 15 cm of accumulation. Alpine wind 10 to 15 km/h from the southwest. Alpine temperature around -3 C. Freezing levels 1300 m.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine winds are light from the south with temperatures near -4 C. Freezing levels 900 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Extra caution for areas experiencing rapidly warming temperatures for the first time.
- Use conservative route selection and resist venturing out into complex terrain.
- Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
- Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent winds have built deeper and more reactive slabs in north and east-facing terrain features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Buried surface hoar is most likely to be found at treeline elevations, and most triggerable where the recent rain crust thins, or disappears.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 13th, 2023 4:00PM
