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Avalanche Forecast

Dec 7th, 2022–Dec 8th, 2022
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Avalanche danger will increase throughout the day Thursday as a windy storm moves in. Avoid riding steep wind loaded slopes or having them above you.

 

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches reported.

Please keep sharing your observations via the MIN; it helps strengthen our information gathering!

Snowpack Summary

Surface: a variety of recent snow, wind scoured, wind pressed, suncrusts, faceting old storm snow, and more. Upper-pack: on shaded terrain at all elevations large surface hoar (up to 10 mm) and generally unconsolidated snow. The upper snowpack consists of 20-50 cm of light snow.Mid-pack: 50 cm down (maybe 70 to 100 cm in deep wind loaded areas) is a late November crust, with soft facets above. This is likely the critical snowpack weakness. Professionals are concerned about the possibility avalanches still releasing at this deeper interface.

Total snow depths remain low for early December with 70 to 120 cm at treeline and up to 180 cm in the alpine. Much of the below treeline elevation band is below the threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

Wednesday NightIncoming storm delivering around 10 cm overnight with strong southerly winds. Treeline temperature -5 to -10 C. Freezing level around 500m.

Thursday

Another 5 to 10 cm of snow brings storm accumulations around 20 cm. Moderate to strong southwest wind. Freezing level steady around 500 m.

Friday

Storm winding down with an additional 5 cm of snow, treeline temps -10 or colder, light to moderate southwest wind.

Saturday

Continued light snow with light to moderate southerly winds. A few degrees warmer than Friday.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

Soft facets on a crust about halfway down into the snowpack may become more sensitive to triggering with additional snow. Small avalanches could step down to this layer.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2