Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 23rd, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs likely remain reactive to human triggers. Watch for new slabs forming over the day as snowfall begins to stack up.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Widespread natural activity occurred during the storm, mainly on north and east facing wind loaded slopes. Reported avalanches were mostly size 1.5, with a size 2.5 in a confined gully feature.
Explosive control produced the same results, with remotely triggered slab avalanches up to 300 m away indicating touchy conditions.
Snowpack Summary
20-30 cm of recent storm snow has been redistributed by strong winds to deeper deposits on north and east facing slopes. Low elevations may have a surface crust from warm temperatures and rain.
A spotty layer of surface hoar can be found around 25-45 cm deep in sheltered terrain features at and below treeline. The distribution of this layer is not well known.
A layer of facets buried at the end of November can be found 100 to 200 cm below the surface. The snowpack depth varies between 150 and 250 cm at treeline.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Mainly cloudy with 10-15 cm of snow, southerly winds 50-90 km/h. Freezing levels at valley bottom.
Sunday
Cloudy with 10-20 cm of snow. Southerly winds, 40-60 km/h. Freezing levels remain at valley bottom, treeline temperatures near -7 °C.
Monday
Cloudy with 5-15 cm of snow, and southerly winds, 60-80 km/h. Freezing levels rise to 1000 m in the afternoon, treeline temperatures reach -5 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with southwest winds, 40-80 km/h. 10-20 cm of snow possible. Freezing levels reach 1000 m, treeline temperatures around -3 °C.
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.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and wind will form fresh slabs, while larger, older slabs may still be reactive from Thursdays storm.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 24th, 2023 4:00PM
