Clearwater

Warm temperatures and sun could increase the chance of avalanches on steep south facing terrain.

Small pockets of wind affected snow may be found at higher elevations.

Moderate

• We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast
• Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

No recent avalanches have been reported.

Reactivity may remain in isolated wind affected features and southerly slopes when then sun is out. Approach steep features, or those above terrain traps with caution.

In the alpine and upper treeline elevations the surface snow is wind affected with deeper deposits of snow in immediate lee features.

Warm temperatures are making southerly aspects moist and will freeze into a glaze as temperatures cool.

A mid December crust lies 30–50 cm deep, found up to 2200 m. Additional crusts exist in the mid and lower snowpack, including a mid November crust with facets above and below, but none are currently of concern.

Wednesday Night
Clear skies. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.

Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow. 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• The snowpack is generally stable; it may be appropriate to step out into more complex terrain.
• Limit exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.