Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 9th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for fresh wind loading, storm snow remains reactive to human triggers
Summary
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
Potential for continued reactivity exists in areas where the rain crust thins, or does not exist.
Please continue to submit MIN reports and support your backcountry community.
Snowpack Summary
Strong winds will redistribute 10-20 cm of recent snow into deeper deposits on north and east facing slopes. This snow covers a widespread crust from the rain. This rain crust is thought to extend to ridgetop in many areas, however we have limited observations in this area.
The greatest concern is a large and weak layer of surface hoar, found 40-60 cm deep. This surface hoar sits on a thin sun crust on steep south-facing slopes.
The mid-pack is generally well-settled. Lower in the snowpack a crust with weak facets beneath it can be found 20 cm off the ground.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow possible. Treeline temperatures around -4 °C. Southwest winds, 40-60 km/h.
Sunday
Cloudy with another 10 cm of snow possible in terrain near Highway One. Winds ease to 40 km/h from the west. Freezing levels rise towards 1000 m. Treeline temperatures around -4 °C.
Monday
Cloudy with no snow expected. Light and variable winds. Treeline temperatures reach -4 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny with no snowfall expected. Treeline temperatures around -6 °C. Southerly winds, 15-30 km/h.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for reactivity in the wind affected storm snow on north and east facing slopes. Storm snow overlies large, weak surface hoar. Triggering is most likely at elevations where the rain crust disappears.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 10th, 2023 4:00PM
