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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 13th, 2023–Dec 14th, 2023
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West, Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies.

Wind slabs at upper elevations are the main concern.

Confidence

No Rating

Avalanche Summary

On Monday there were reports of a few skier controlled wind slab avalanches to size 1. On Monday there were a few size 1-1.5 explosives controlled wind slab avalanches reported in the alpine and treeline.

Snowpack Summary

Recent southwest winds have redistributed surface snow into leeward terrain features. In some areas, you may also find a thin, frozen crust near the surface.

The dry surface snow has bonded well to the crust left behind by last week's rain event. That crust is 40-60 cm deep and has been observed up to 5 cm thick in some places.

Beneath the upper crust, the remainder of the rain-moistened snowpack has slowly refrozen.

Snowpack depths vary across the forecast area. 50 to 120 cm at treeline, tapering rapidly below treeline.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1-2 cm. Moderate west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -9 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with flurries, accumulation 1-4 cm. Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5°C.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with clear periods. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4°C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate southwest wind. Treeline temperature -5°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch out for reactive wind slabs in leeward terrain features such as ridgecrests and roll-overs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2