Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 22nd, 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.
trettie,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for signs of instability as you move through terrain.
Surface hoar layers may still be reactive to rider traffic.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Ski cutting have produced storm slab avalanches up to size 1.5. These avalanches have been at treeline and generally failing on one of the shallower surface hoar layers.
Large human and remotely triggered avalanches continue to occur in neighboring regions. These avalanches are generally occurring at or above treeline and are failing on the surface hoar layer from early December.
Snowpack Summary
Check out this MIN from our field team describing snowpack tests in the Cariboo's near Valemont.
20 to 40 cm of recent snow has been redistributed into wind slab on north and east aspects near ridge crests. This may have buried a layer of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain. Below treeline a new crust has likely formed on the surface.
A crust formed during the early December rain event exists down roughly 30 to 60 cm from the surface and is highly variable in strength and thickness throughout the terrain. A concerning layer of buried surface hoar is 50 to 100 cm below the surface at treeline and above.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Partially cloudy with trace amounts of new snow expected, northwest alpine wind 20 to 30 km/h, freezing level falling to valley bottom.
Saturday
Mostly sunny with no new snow expected, south alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -8°C.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow expected, southeast alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -10°C.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow expected, southeast alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -10°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
- Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
A layer of surface hoar is down 60 to 100 cm in the snowpack and has been the culprit of a number of scary, human triggered avalanches in neighboring regions.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Recent snow has been redistributed into wind slab on north and east aspects at treeline and above.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 23rd, 2023 4:00PM
