Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 7th, 2016–Dec 8th, 2016

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: South Rockies.

Avalanche danger can mostly be managed by avoiding steep, wind deposited slopes in the alpine.

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Dry and bright. Very cold - treeline temperatures around -25 C. Winds light from the east. Friday: A few flurries, with only minimal accumulation. Winds increasing to 20-30 km/hr at ridgetop from the southeast. Temperatures remaining very cold. Saturday: 2 cm new snow expected. Winds 20-30 km/hr from the southeast. Warming to a balmy -22 C.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche observations have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30 cm of recent storm snow has buried old snow surfaces including surface hoar and old, stiff wind slabs. The cold temperatures will have promoted surface faceting, which probably means the top layer of snow is soft in most places. Treeline snow depths around Elkford are only around 60 cm; I suspect they are slightly higher in places like the Flathead, but generally conditions are lean. Threshold snow depths for avalanches have been exceeded in the alpine and at treeline, but not below treeline. In shallow areas, the snowpack is most likely facetted (sugary) throughout, and any crusts have probably broken down already. In deeper areas, you can probably find the mid-November crust buried under half a metre or so of snow.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

20-35 cm of new storm snow fell Sunday/ Monday accompanied with strong winds. New wind slabs may be touchy to rider triggers. Changing wind directions may also reverse load opposite slopes and catch you by surprise.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2