Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 14th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada isnowsell, Avalanche Canada

Email

While travelling in avalanche terrain, be especially cautious of cohesive slabs overlying a sugary, weak lower snowpack.

Plenty of early season hazards, such as buried rocks and tree stumps still exist.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the past few days in the region.

Please continue to share any observations of photos on the Mountain Information Network!

Snowpack Summary

40 - 80 cm of snow continues to bond and settle over a generally weak sugary, facetted mid and lower snowpack. Isolated pockets of wind slab persist in wind exposed terrain at higher elevations.

Snowpack depths are highly variable, ranging from 80-180 cm in the alpine. Below treeline the snowpack is thin and sugary making it a challenge to access terrain in many areas without damaging your sled or skis.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Mainly cloudy, with no precipitation. Light to moderate westerly winds and temperatures of -10 to -20 C in the alpine.

Thursday

Mainly cloudy, with no precipitation. Light westerly winds and temperatures of -5 to -15 C in the alpine.

Friday

Cloudy, with a chance of isolated flurries. Light westerly winds and -5 to -15 C in the alpine.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud, with a trace of snow. Light northeasterly winds and -15 to -25 C in the alpine.

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.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • 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

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Isolated pockets of cohesive, wind slabs remain an issue in upper elevations on exposed terrain features, near ridges and highpoints. Any wind slabs likely overly a sugary and weak lower snowpack, meaning they can produce bigger then anticipated avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Dec 15th, 2022 4:00PM