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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 3rd, 2023–Dec 4th, 2023
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead.

Storm slabs may be deeper than expected, with moderate winds accompanying recent storms. Keep an eye out for touchy storm slabs in alpine, treeline, and upper below treeline elevations.

Confidence

No Rating

Avalanche Summary

Storm slabs formed throughout the day Saturday were reactive to skiers where the new snow has not bonded well to the large surface hoar layer.

On Saturday and Sunday, several size 1 to 1.5 storm slabs were skier-triggered, and a size 2 was remotely triggered in the Fernie area. This MIN post from Saturday in Orca bowl is further evidence that storm slabs are reactive to human triggers.

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Snowpack Summary

20 to 25 cm of new snow has buried a surface hoar layer that developed on various surfaces of wind-pressed snow, sun crust, and facets.

The snowpack is shallow and faceted, with depths of 60 to 80 cm at treeline and the upper end of below treeline. Below this snowpack depths taper quickly.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with scattered flurries, 2 to 4 cm of new snow. Southwest alpine wind 20 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with scattered flurries 1 to 2 cm accumulation. Southwest alpine wind 30 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with mixed precipitation, snow Monday evening turning to rain with rising freezing levels to 2500 m, 30 to 45 cm accumulation possible above 2000 m. Southwest wind 30 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature 3 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with snow above 2000 m, 15 to 20 cm accumulation. Southwest alpine winds 15 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperatures 2 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

20 to 25 cm of new snow has developed touchy storm slabs where new snow has buried surface hoar and facets that formed on hard wind-pressed and melt-freeze crusts.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5