Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 9th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada isnowsell, Avalanche Canada

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6am update: New snow has buried a widespread crust and potentially a layer of weak surface hoar.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

If you're heading out in the backcountry, please consider sharing any observations on the Mountain Information Network

Snowpack Summary

Anticipate a layer of heavy, dense snow on the surface, overlaying lighter snow below, as a result of the recent storm that began with colder temperatures and ended with warmer conditions and potentially rain. Around 30 cm of recent snow has buried a widespread melt-freeze crust, possibly with a weak layer of surface hoar crystals resting between the crust and the new snow.

Overall, the snow depth remains relatively shallow, creating challenging travel conditions and numerous hazards at or just below the snow surface across all elevations.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature 1 °C, freezing levels peaking at 2000 m in the early morning.

Sunday

Cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow and light rain at lower elevations, southwest alpine winds 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature 1 °C, freezing levels gradually dropping throughout the day.

Monday

Mostly sunny with no precipitation, southeast alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C, freezing level rising to 2200 m by the afternoon.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • 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

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

An upside-down upper snowpack exists over a hard crust and possibly surface hoar.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 10th, 2023 4:00PM