Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 13th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
mbender,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs at upper elevations are the main concern.
Summary
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.
FridayMainly cloudy with clear periods. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4°C.
SaturdayMix 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.
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
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 14th, 2023 4:00PM
