Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 11th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
MH,
Avalanche Canada
The recent low-density storm snow is settling out and showing increasing signs of slab properties. There is uncertainty that surrounds the persistent layers and when/if they will exhibit wide propagations. Assess the snowpack carefully before stepping out into committing terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Several loose dry avalanches up to size 2 from steep, rocky North facing terrain off Mt MacDonald.
Reports continue of small, unsupported pockets of soft slab failing on Dec 5 and Nov 17, mainly occurring around treeline.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 40cm of settled snow now buries the Dec 5 layer, which consists of surface hoar, preserved stellars, facets, and a thin sun crust on steeper solar aspects.
The Nov 17th Surface Hoar is now buried 60-90cm and continues to produce sudden results in snowpack tests.
Weather Summary
A low-pressure system moves out of the region as a ridge of high pressure sets up, which brings mainly sunny skies and light ridgetop winds. Alpine temps will range from -10 to -5.
Sunny skies, warming temps, and light winds for the week.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
The Nov 17 and Dec 5 surface hoar are down ~75cm and ~35cm respectively, and most prevalent around tree line. These layers of surface hoar continue to give 'sudden' results in snowpack tests, and produce dramatic whumpfs in previously untraveled open glades.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
45cm of recent low density snow is available for transport by the moderate South winds. Watch for slab formation in the alpine and down into open areas at treeline.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 12th, 2022 4:00PM
