Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 6th, 2021 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada shorton, Avalanche Canada

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Avalanche danger will gradually increase in wind-affected terrain this week.

Summary

Confidence

High - The snowpack structure is mostly striaghtforward and not unusually variable.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, no precipitation, light wind from the northwest, treeline temperatures around -12 C.

TUESDAY: Increasing cloud throughout the day, no precipitation, light to moderate wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures warm to -8 C.

WEDNESDAY: Flurries bring 5-15 cm of low density snow, moderate wind from the west, treeline temperatures around -10 C.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy skies, no precipitation, light wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures around -8 C.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were reported over the weekend, except for one explosive triggered storm slab involving recent snow above the crust.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm low density snow is poorly bonded to a widespread and supportive crust. Fun pockets of powder may be found in sheltered areas and depressions. The snowpack is generally well consolidated. At upper elevations a few crusts may be found in the lower snowpack, while at mid and lower elevations the entire snowpack was saturated and is now frozen and uniform.

Snowpack depths at treeline range from 50-110 cm, with alpine depths exceeding 120 cm in areas. Snowpack depths decrease rapidly below 1800 m.

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Terrain and Travel

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

As wind increases on Tuesday and Wednesday we expect to see some unstable slabs forming on leeward terrain, especially along ridges. Wind slabs could be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Dec 7th, 2021 4:00PM