Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 23rd, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada wlewis, Avalanche Canada

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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

An icon showing 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

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 24th, 2023 4:00PM