Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 25th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Wet and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada dsaly, Avalanche Canada

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Strong wind, more precipitation, and spiking freezing levels will keep avalanche hazard elevated.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No notable recent avalanches have been reported, however poor weather and road closures have limited observations.

Please continue to post your observations and photos to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Upwards of 20 cm storm snow over the weekend has been redistributed by strong south winds. Warm temperatures and rain have impacted lower elevations, a melt-freeze crust has formed below 1400 m. The new snow covered a layer of weak and unconsolidated snow produced by the recent cold weather.

In the last 48 hours, around 15 cm fresh snow fell with steady south-southwest wind. The new snow overlies a facetted and unconsolidated layer which formed during the recent cold weather.

The winter snowpack is not as deep as usual, and along with a cold and dry early winter, the lower snowpack consists of weak, unconsolidated facets and depth hoar crystals. Snowpack depths average 50-200 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Wet flurries and snow, 10 cm. Ridgetop high temperature 0 C. Southwest wind 20-40 km/hr. A warm pocket of air has freezing levels fluctuating between 1500-2000 m.

Monday

Depending on where freezing levels fall and how much moisture makes it inland, upwards of 25 cm possible by noon Monday above 2000 m.

Ridgetop high temperatures +1 C. Southwest wind 30-50 km/hr. Freezing level falling towards 1500 m.

Precipitation and high freezing levels may produce a variety of frozen water forms including freezing rain at roadside elevations.

Tuesday

Flurries, 5-10 cm. Ridgetop high temperature 0 C. Southwest wind 20-40 km/hr. Freezing level falling towards valley bottom.

Wednesday

Flurries and snow, 5 cm. Ridgetop high temperature -2 C. Southwest wind 20-40 km/hr.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
  • Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 25cm of new snow.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Upwards of 25 cm forecast above 2000 m along with strong south-southwest wind. Reactive slabs will build where dry snow accumulates. Be especially cautious transitioning into wind-loaded terrain, more reactive deposits lurk in leeward features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Freezing levels are forecast to spike overnight. The wet avalanche hazard will be highest Monday morning at all elevations and persist until the snowpack has frozen again.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

The winter snowpack is not as deep as usual, and along with a cold and dry early winter, the lower snowpack consists of weak, unconsolidated facets and depth hoar crystals. With weak basal layers, a cautious approach to large open terrain features is required especially around rocky or thin areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Dec 26th, 2022 4:00PM

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