Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 8th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
dsaly,
Avalanche Canada
A band of moisture with push through the region overnight, depositing up to 30 cm with moderate winds. This may be a very localized system - in areas accumulating less than 20 cm avalanche hazard will likely be a step down.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
Weather Forecast
A localized band of moisture with push through the region overnight, with potentially up to 30 cm fresh snow.
TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with flurries, 10-30 cm / Moderate southwest ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -6 / Freezing level dropping to 1000 m
WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm / Light variable ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -4 / Freezing level 900 m
THURSDAY: Partly cloudy / Light south ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -5 / Freezing level valley bottom
FRIDAY: Sun and cloud / Light south ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -6 / Freezing level valley bottom
Avalanche Summary
There have been no recent avalanche observations.
Other than a few small loose-wet avalanches from steep terrain on the last few sunny days, the last avalanche observations were Wednesday Dec 2 when warming likely triggered numerous wet loose avalanches from NE slopes above 2000 m.
Have you been out and about in the mountains? If so please submit to the Mountain Information Network (MIN). It doesn't have to be technical it can be as simple as a photo. Photos are especially helpful! Sending a big thank you to the already submitted MIN's this season!
Snowpack Summary
A localized band of moisture and wind with pushed through the region overnight, depositing up to 30 cm fresh snow in localized areas. A thin crust may have developed in areas that received rain or heavy mist.
New snow will cover the old surfaces of crusts on most slopes, wind-polished and dry, faceted snow on northerly aspects around treeline and higher, and widespread surface hoar. Over the last few days, surface hoar has been observed developing around the region, and may be especially large in sheltered treeline areas - as new snow and wind develops slabs, it will be most reactive where sits over surface hoar.
Crusts from mid-and early-November are generally found 30 cm below the snow surface and 10 cm up from the ground at all elevations. While they are showing resistant planar results in snowpack tests, a lot of uncertainty still exists with limited observations and while we don't think they're currently a problem, we're not ready to throw them out yet. Snowpack depths vary with elevation, treeline averages between 50-100 cm.Â
Terrain and Travel
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Give the new snow time to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
Problems
Storm Slabs
A band of moisture and wind with push through the region overnight, with potentially up to 30 cm in localized areas. Widespread surface hoar has been observed around the region over the last few days, avalanche conditions could get especially spicy where new slabs form over surface hoar.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
A crust exists near the base of the snowpack, and weak, sugary facets have been observed over this crust. We have a lack of decisive data on this layer - it's been showing some results in snowpack tests in some areas, and most reports describe an improving bond to the overlying snow. Although we don't think it presents a problem, without more information we're reluctant to throw it out. The most likely trigger spots are terrain areas with smooth ground cover such as scree slopes, grassy slopes, or rock slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 9th, 2020 4:00PM
