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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 13th, 2023–Dec 14th, 2023
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Recent storm snow has buried a layer of surface hoar. The snowpack will need some time to adjust to the new load.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Numerous explosive-triggered avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported on Tuesday. Primarily in the north of the region. We suspect a natural avalanche cycle to have occurred Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

Approximately 20 to 30 cm of new snow has been redistributed by strong southerly alpine winds. Buried by this most recent snow may be a layer of feathery surface hoar crystals. Another layer of surface hoar may exist deeper in the snowpack, roughly 50 to 70 cm below the surface.

The remaining mid and lower snowpack contains several crusts from early in the season that are generally well-bonded to the surrounding snowpack. Currently, the height of snow is highly variable and decreases significantly at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 10 cm of snow (higher amounts in the north of the region), southwest alpine winds 40 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, southwest alpine winds 40 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -3 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 60 to 80 km/h, treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with trace precipitation, southwest alpine winds 40 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm slabs may remain reactive to human-triggering with potential for buried weak surface hoar layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5