Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 4th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada shorton, Avalanche Canada

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Evaluate snow and terrain as you travel, there is uncertainty about whether slab avalanche conditions exist at upper elevations.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported, but observations are limited this time of year. If you head into the backcountry please submit a MIN report!

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures over the weekend have settled the fresh snow from last week. Expect a surface crust to form in many areas. Some dry snow may still be found on the highest north-facing terrain. Open terrain was heavily wind-affected prior to the warm up.

80 to 100 cm of snow can be found in the alpine, with wind-loaded areas up to 150 cm. Every storm brings the snowpack closer to the threshold for avalanches, however some areas at treeline and most areas below treeline have yet to overcome ground roughness.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Clear skies, no precipitation, light wind from the north, freezing level drops to sea level with treeline temperatures cooling to -4 °C.

Monday

Mostly sunny, no precipitation, 20 to 30 km/h wind from the northwest, treeline temperatures around -2 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy, isolated flurries with trace amounts of snow, 40 to 60 km/h wind from the northwest, treeline temperatures around -2 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy, scattered flurries with a trace to 5 cm of snow in most areas and up to 10 cm on the west side of the island, 40 to 50 km/h wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures around -2 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

It may still be possible to trigger slabs on some steep wind-loaded slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Dec 5th, 2022 4:00PM