Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 29th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
kbakker,
Avalanche Canada
6:30 AM Update: With the latest storm bringing more snow and strong wind, watch for newly formed reactive wind slabs.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported in the region. Natural winds slabs are likely to occur and will be easily triggerable by humans.
If you head into the backcountry please consider submitting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.
Thank you to all who have been submitting lately!
Snowpack Summary
10 to 20 cm of new snow arrived with strong southerly winds. This snow adds to the 25 cm of light snow that was available for wind transport. This could form large wind slabs. The mid and lower snowpack is reported to be well settled, with a thick, well-bonded crust approximately 30 to 50 cm above the ground at elevations below 1200 m. Snow depth ranges from 75 to 200 cm across the region.
Of note, a layer of surface hoar was found in the Halcyon area on Dec 28, check out their MIN
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow, with higher accumulations in the White Pass area. Southeast wind, 40 to 70 km/h. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. South wind, 50 to 80 km/h. Treeline temperature rising to -3 °C.
Sunday
Mainly cloudy with trace amounts of new snow. Southwest wind easing through the day, 50 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud, with no new snow. Southeast wind, 15 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Approach steep open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, buried surface hoar may exist.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Over 30 cm of snow is available for transport into wind slabs from strong south winds. Be extra cautious when seeking out protected terrain on east aspects, as a layer of buried surface hoar may still exist.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 30th, 2023 4:00PM
