Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 29th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Chris Gooliaff,
Promising news is coming to our region...yes, moderating temps for the weekend will usher in a glorious start to 2022!
Until then, short objectives, a headlamp, and warm gear are strongly recommended.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Cold the next few days, however incoming light precip and moderating temps Sat/Sun
Tonight: Cloudy, isolated flurries, -24*C, moderate SW winds
Thurs: Mix of sun/cloud, -19*C, light W winds
Fri: Mix of sun and cloud, -20*C, light W winds
Sat: Cloudy with flurries, 4cm, -10*C, mod SW winds
Sun: Cloudy with scattered flurries, 4cm, -11*C, light SW winds
Snowpack Summary
50cm of cold, faceted snow sits on top of previously faceted surfaces. Pockets of slab (5-30cm thick) can be found at all elevations, along ridge-crests, on exposed alpine terrain, and in open features in the trees. The Dec 1 crust is buried approx 70-120cm, with faceting of the snow directly above and below (especially in scoured, shallow areas).
Avalanche Summary
Isolated, random natural avalanche activity in the last 24hrs. One size 3 avalanche out of Tupper 2, a cornice fall sz 2.5 in the Kors-Thomas bowl (did not pull out a slab), and a couple of thin surface wind slabs from Crossover and MacD #11.
Human triggered avalanches are still possible, see MIN reports from 8812 Bowl and NRC Gully.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Moderate, variable winds have formed 5-30cm slabs on open features at all elevations, including reverse-loading on S and W aspects. If triggered, these slabs could possibly step down to the Dec 1 crust, approx 70-120cm deep.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Keep an eye out for reverse loading created by N-NE winds.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 30th, 2021 4:00PM
