Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 24th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for wind effect in recent storm snow. Expect wind loading around ridgelines and in mid slope terrain features, strong winds may have transported snow lower on slopes than you expect.
Deeper weak layers remain a concern for step down avalanches in wind loaded terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Activity from Friday was limited to small loose dry avalanches in steep terrain features.
On Tuesday and Wednesday explosive control in the region produced small avalanches with a depth of 10cm.
If you are headed into the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.
Snowpack Summary
Southwest winds continue to move snow (where available as fresh snow or loose surface snow) into wind slabs on north and east facing terrain features. Wind slabs sit over hard wind affected surfaces, a layer of facets or surface hoar increasing reactivity.
The main concern a layer of surface hoar, facets, or crusts buried 40 to 80 cm deep from mid November. Avalanche activity on this layer has tapered off but it could still be possible to trigger this layer in isolated terrain features near treeline. Triggering becomes more likely as temperatures rise.
Alpine snowpack distribution is variable, with depths ranging from 70 to 140 cm.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow expected and moderate to strong southwest winds. Freezing levels remain below valley bottom.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud with flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Moderate southwest winds and a high of -6°C in the south and -12°C around Panorama and further north.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud with 5 cm of snow possible. Moderate southwest winds. Freezing levels rise to 800 m. High temperatures of -5°C expected.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with light snowfall. Moderate to strong southwest winds. Freezing levels remain below 1000 m with alpine highs of -4°C.
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.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong southwest winds will likely continue to form wind slabs in exposed terrain at treeline and above. These slabs will be found on east and north facing slopes sitting above facets and surface hoar, increasing reactivity and propagation.
Strong winds can move snow further down slope, look for wind loading in mid slope terrain features where wind may slow and deposit snow. Wind slab avalanches could step down to deeper layers.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A layer of surface hoar, facets and, a crust from mid November is buried around 40-80 cm deep. This layer has become hard to trigger but could still be sensitive to rider traffic on isolated slopes at treeline and below where the snow above feels stiff, slabby and consolidated.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 25th, 2022 4:00PM
