Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 20th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada AB, Avalanche Canada

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The snowpack is shallow, weak and faceted. Human triggering remains possible. Extreme cold temperatures will exacerbate the consequences of being caught in an avalanche, an injury, or a gear malfunction.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were observed or reported on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is shallow and weak with a base of facets and depth hoar. A 20-60 cm slab overlies this weak base and could easily be triggered in some locations. Loose, faceted sluffs are being triggered below treeline in some locations and any avalanches that do release will run further than expected with the cohesion-less snow.

Weather Summary

Bitter cold with lows close to -40 on Wednesday. Thankfully the wind will remain light and variable. A warming trend with some snow is expected over the weekend.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

A 20-60 cm slab overlies weak basal facets which continue to get weaker each day. No recent natural avalanches have been observed, but we expect human triggering to remain possible on large slopes. This problem will be around for the foreseeable future.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Dec 21st, 2022 4:00PM