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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 7th, 2023–Dec 8th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Glacier.

New, heavy wet snow sits over a reactive weak layer. Treat any slopes that haven't avalanched with caution.

Natural avalanche activity has tapered off but human triggered avalanches are still likely

Confidence

No Rating

Avalanche Summary

A widespread natural avalanche cycle Tuesday/Wednesday was triggered by heavy snowfall turning to heavy rain at most elevations. Avalanches to size 3.5 were showing very wide propagation across terrain features and running far into the runout zones.

Natural avalanche activity has tapered off but conditions remain prime for human triggered avalanches. Some of our near neighbours are reporting being able to remotely trigger sz 2 avalanches from 10-20m away!

Snowpack Summary

5-10cms of new snow sits on top of a rain crust that exists up to about 2200m.

Approximately 50cms of new snow has fallen over the last few days with very warm temperatures. This moist heavy snow sits on top of a large, weak layer of surface hoar.

Height of snow at treeline is about 130 cms which is below average for this time of year. Many early-season hazards still exist at or just below the snow surface.

The base of the snowpack consists of weak, sugary facets in most areas.

Weather Summary

Friday we will experience a cooling & drying trend as the storm exits the region and high pressure sets up.

Tonight: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Alpine low of -10°C. Winds: West 15km/hr. Freezing level 800m

Fri: Cloudy w Sunny periods, isolated flurries. Alpine high of -10°C. Winds: West 15km/hr. Freezing level 600m

Sat: Mainly cloudy with flurries, 4cms new snow. Freezing level 600m

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
  • Avoid areas with overhead hazard.
  • 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

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.