Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 28th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.
jleblanc,
Avalanche Canada
Be alert to conditions that change throughout the day with rising temperatures.
Avalanches are possible on slopes with wet or wind-affected snow.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches have been reported. Recent snow, rain, and wind may have caused isolated wind slabs and wet loose avalanches in steep terrain since Thursday but field observations are limited.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 30-40 mm of precipitation has fallen since Wednesday night, with rain below 1500 m. Up 15-20 cm of wet snow may be found at upper elevations. This new snow should bond well to the warm and moist snow beneath. Total snow depths at ski hills and remote stations are 60 to 80 cm, with closer to 100 cm possible at treeline. Many areas are below the threshold depth for avalanches.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Cloudy with isolated flurries, alpine wind southeast 40 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature around +4 °C, freezing level around 1800 m.
Friday
Cloudy with no precipitation, alpine wind southeast 40 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature around +5 °C, freezing level climbing to 2500 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with 10-15 cm of snow above 1500 m (rain below), alpine wind south 50 to 70 km/h, treeline temperature around +2 °C, freezing level lowering to 1300 m by evening.
Sunday
Cloudy with sunny periods, no precipitation, alpine wind south 20 km/h, treeline temperature around 0 °C, freezing level around 1300 m.
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.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
Problems
Wind Slabs
New snowfalls and strong wind have formed reactive slabs on lee terrain features at upper elevations. Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Rain and rising temperatures could destabilize surface snow at treeline elevations and produce small wet, loose avalanches. Avalanches may be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 29th, 2023 4:00PM
