Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 15th, 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.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Small but reactive wind slabs may linger around ridgelines and rollovers.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches have been reported in the region.
The buried surface hoar layers show continued reactivity in snowpack testing. However the last avalanches on these layers were reported last weekend.
If you're heading out in the backcountry, please consider sharing any observations on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
15 cm of wind effected storm snow in the northern half of the region tapers to 5 cm in the Duffey. The overlies variable surfaces including surface hoar in sheltered areas and a crust at lower elevations.
At treeline and above, two layers of concern exist, buried around 30 and 50 cm deep. Both layers consist of a crust that tapers at higher elevations covered by a layer of fragile surface hoar in sheltered areas. No recent avalanche activity has been reported on these layers but they continue to be reactive in snowpack tests.
The snowpack remains shallow for the time of year. Snowpack depths at treeline range from 80 to 120 cm.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy with trace amounts of snowfall. Freezing levels sit around 900 m. Southwest winds continue, 30-60 km/h.
Saturday
Partly cloudy with possible flurries. Westerly winds winds 20-50 km/h. Freezing levels reach 1000 m with treeline temperatures around -2 °C.
Sunday
Partly cloudy with no snowfall. Light and variable winds. Freezing levels reach 1000 m with treeline temperatures around -2 °C. An above freezing layer may begin to impact this region in the afternoon, from 2000-3000 m.
Monday
Mostly sunny with no snowfall. Southwest winds 20-40 km/h. Freezing levels reach 1000 m with treeline temperatures around -2 °C. The above freezing layer deepens, from 1500-3000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
Problems
Wind Slabs
15 cm of storm snow and strong southwest winds are creating cohesive slabs in lee features at higher elevations. Investigate the bond of new snow to surfaces below before committing to your line.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of large surface hoar is found down 30 to 50 cm. Human-triggering this layer above 1900 m is still possible. Investigate open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved before stepping out.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 16th, 2023 4:00PM
