Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 12th, 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.
isnowsell,
Avalanche Canada
The current snowpack is complex, with multiple buried weak layers of concern, despite its generally shallow nature.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches have been reported in the region.
If you do go into the backcountry, consider submitting a Mountain Information Network report.
Snowpack Summary
Widespread wind affected surfaces at higher elevations with roughly 30 cm of recent snow being redistributed by strong alpine winds. This new snow overlies a weak, feathery layer of surface hoar at 1200 m and above. Below this elevation, it overlies a crust.
Another surface hoar layer is down 40 to 60 cm. This layer may exist at all aspects and elevations.
In general, the snowpack is still shallow for this time of year with snowpack depths at treeline ranging from 50 to 100 cm. Early season hazards are still a concern.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow, south alpine winds 60 to 80 km/h, treeline temperature -4 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 60 to 80 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, southwest alpine winds 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with no precipitation, southwest alpine winds 40 to 70 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Buried layers of large surface hoar crystals remain problematic. Surface hoar is most likely to be well preserved at treeline but should remain a concern at all elevations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
New snow and wind Wednesday will increase the size and reactivity of wind slabs at higher elevations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 13th, 2023 4:00PM
