Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 27th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
zryan,
Avalanche Canada
There are very few field observations coming from this forecast area. Submit a MIN if you head out!
Uncertainty around buried weak layers is best managed with conservative terrain choices.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Over the weekend in the neighbouring region to the east, many large (size 2 to 3) natural and rider-triggered (some remotely triggered) persistent and deep persistent slabs were reported in the alpine and treeline.
We are unsure if the same deep persistent slab problem exists in this region, and this uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices.
Moving forward, natural avalanche activity may taper, but large human-triggered slabs remain possible.
Snowpack Summary
Recent strong winds have created heavily wind-affected surfaces in the alpine and treeline. Below treeline a new crust is on or near the surface.
The mid pack contains several layers of note; a layer of surface hoar and a crust down 20 to 40 cm, a significant crust from the early December rain event down around 50 cm and a layer of surface hoar down 50 to 90 cm.
The make up of the lower snowpack is variable throughout the region, in shallower snowpack areas, basal facets may exist.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Mainly cloudy. Southeast alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Thursday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. South alpine wind 25 to 60 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud, no new snow. Southeast alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud, no new snow. Southeast alpine wind 40 to 60 km/h. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Use careful route-finding and stick to moderate slope angles with low consequences.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent strong southerly winds have formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects in lee features in the alpine and treeline.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A layer of surface hoar is down 50 to 90 cm and is still concerning where a significant crust is not found above it.
Weak basal facets may exist in some areas. This layer is most concerning in shallow alpine areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 28th, 2023 4:00PM
