Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 9th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Storm Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include6am 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 upside-down upper snowpack exists over a hard crust and possibly surface hoar.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 10th, 2023 4:00PM