Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 25th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Wet and Deep Persistent Slabs.
dsaly,
Avalanche Canada
Strong wind, more precipitation, and spiking freezing levels will keep avalanche hazard elevated.
Summary
Confidence
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.
TuesdayFlurries, 5-10 cm. Ridgetop high temperature 0 C. Southwest wind 20-40 km/hr. Freezing level falling towards valley bottom.
WednesdayFlurries 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
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
Expected Size
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
Expected Size
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
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 26th, 2022 4:00PM
