Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 29th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
dnylen,
Avalanche Canada
Above freezing alpine temperature will stress buried weak layers.
Be extra cautious where there is overhead hazard and in shallow snowpack areas.
Summary
Confidence
No Rating
Avalanche Summary
Limited observations have been submitted for this area. On Tuesday and Wednesday, in neighbouring regions to the east, large (size 2 to 3) natural and rider-triggered persistent and deep persistent slabs have been reported in the alpine and treeline.
We are unsure if the same deep persistent slab problem exists in this region, and this uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices.
Snowpack Summary
The upper snowpack is heavily wind-affected in the alpine and treeline. Below treeline a new crust or moist snow is on or near the surface.
The mid pack contains several layers of note; a layer of surface hoar and a crust down 20 to 40 cm, a significant crust from the early December rain event down around 50 cm and a layer of surface hoar down 50 to 90 cm.
The make up of the lower snowpack is variable throughout the region, in shallower snowpack areas, basal facets may exist.
Weather Summary
Friday night
Partially cloudy, no new snow. Southeast alpine wind 20 to 50 km/h. Freezing level 3000 m.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud with flurries up to 3 cm of accumulation. Southwest alpine wind 40 to 60 km/h. Freezing level 2500 m.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud with flurries or rain up to 2 cm of accumulation. West alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -2 C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with no new snow. Southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Use careful route-finding and stick to moderate slope angles with low consequences.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
- Minimize overhead exposure; avalanches triggered by warming or cornice fall may be large and destructive.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
A layer of surface hoar is down 50 to 90 cm and is still concerning where a significant crust is not found above it.
Weak basal facets may exist in some areas. This layer is most concerning in shallow alpine areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Southerly winds have formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects in lee features in the alpine and treeline.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 30th, 2023 4:00PM
