Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 8th, 2018 4:01PM

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

Avalanche Canada shorton, Avalanche Canada

Finally some snow in the forecast! Watch for wind slabs forming near ridge crests, roll-overs, and in steep terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy, moderate wind out of the south, alpine temperatures drop to -8 C.SUNDAY: Light snowfall with 5-10 cm accumulations, strong wind out of the south, freezing level climbing to 700 m with alpine high temperatures around -4 C.MONDAY: Light flurries with trace accumulations, strong wind out of the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -5 C.TUESDAY: 10-20 cm of snow, strong to extreme wind out of the southwest, freezing level climbing to 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported. However, we currently have very limited observations. If you have been out, please submit any observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

New snow will gradually accumulate as a series of storms bring snow to the region this week. The combination of new snow and strong winds out of the south will form thicker wind deposits at higher elevations. The new snow will likely bond poorly to the feathery surface hoar crystals and soft sugary snow that have been sitting on the surface for the past week (see this MIN report).A hard crust has been reported 10-20 cm below the surface, and in some locations there is an early season crust with facets near the bottom of the snowpack.Expect an average snow depth of 60-120 cm in the alpine. This decreases dramatically with elevation where the primary hazards are rocks, stumps, and open creeks.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Expect new wind slabs to develop with the incoming snow and wind.
Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Dec 9th, 2018 2:00PM

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