Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 5th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada jleblanc, Avalanche Canada

Email

Uncertainty is due to limited field observations.

Keep seeking out sheltered slopes where snow hasn't been wind-affected.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanches were reported lately. Keep sharing your observations via the MIN; it helps strengthen our information gathering.

Snowpack Summary

At 1900 m, the snowpack ranges between 30 and 90 cm. Near Joffre Lakes, the alpine terrain is wind scoured and bare. 15-25 cm can be found sitting on a hard melt-freeze crust in most areas. In sheltered and shaded areas, surface hoar is growing at the surface due to recent cold temperatures. A thin snowpack is promoting the lack of cohesion in the basal snow. Early season hazards are expected to stick around for the time being.

Weather Summary

An arctic ridge of high pressure will continue to be the main attraction. Conditions will be dry until the pulse of snow, expected Wednesday night.

Monday Night

Cloudy. No precipitation. Light northerly ridge Low of -8 C at treeline.

Tuesday

Cloudy. Isolated flurries. Steady moderate northerly ridge wind. High -10 C.

Wednesday

Cloudy. Isolated flurries. Moderate southwesterly ridge wind. High -8 C.

Thursday:

Snow 5-10 cm. Moderate southwest ridge wind gusting 50 km/h. High of -6 C at treeline.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Expect shallow snow cover that barely covers ground roughness.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Lingering old wind slabs exist in a variety of aspects on lee features. With limited observations, uncertainty remains high for this problem. A good strategy is to keep approaching convex and unsupported features with caution.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 6th, 2022 4:00PM