Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 22nd, 2016 4:26PM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

South Coast Inland.

As this past week's storm snow continues to settle it will still be important to evaluate the bond between the old snow surface and the new snow. There is still potential for a weak sliding layer in isolated sheltered areas.

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

Friday: Mainly cloudy / Light northerly wind / Alpine temperature -9Saturday: Sunny with cloudy periods/ Light northeast wind / Alpine temperature -10Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light west wind / Alpine temperature -10

Avalanche Summary

Reports in the Duffy Lake area on Tuesday indicate a few natural avalanches running to size 2 in the alpine. I would suspect there to be continued potential for skier and rider triggering with recent strong winds creating wind slabs at upper elevations and a possible weak bond at the storm/old snow interface with the possibility of buried surface hoar in isolated sheltered areas.

Snowpack Summary

30-60cm new snow overlies the previous variable snow surface from last week, which includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or surface hoar. New wind slabs that have formed in response to southwest winds. In the Duffey Lake area, recent snowpack tests gave hard sudden results down 60 cm at the interface between the recent storm snow and old snow on rounding faceted crystals. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down approximately 1-1.5m. Recent snowpack tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could become a problem in shallow alpine start zones.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate to strong southwest winds have created wind slabs in the lee of terrain features

Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, or cracking. Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 23rd, 2016 2:00PM