Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 14th, 2019 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Loose Dry and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Darren Vonk,
Parks Canada
Continued mild temps for the next couple days, Tuesday looks promising for a much needed refresh.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Sunday- Will be a mix of sun and cloud, Low -18 High -15 Light westerly winds No new snow
Monday- Mix sun and cloud Low -18 high -13 Trace amounts of precip
Tuesday- Flurries High -9 Low -13 with 7cm accumulation accompanied by Light south westerly winds
For more details: Mountain Weather Forecast
Snowpack Summary
The top 30cm remains unconsolidated except where exposed to wind where soft slabs have been formed. The snow depth is variable at all elevations. There is a crust/facet layer distributed through the region in the mid-pack with mixed reactivity and a weak basal facet/depth hoar layer at the base of the pack.
Avalanche Summary
A road trip to Saskatchewan crossing today found no new avalanches. Friday's field trip to Pyramid mountain area noted nothing new and no signs of instability and a consolidated snowpack. Thursday's field trip to Churchill slide path noted no new naturals.
Confidence
Track of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Isolated to very specific sheltered locations at treeline.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Specific to steep terrain. Ice climbers should pay particular attention to this as entrenched loose snow may have the volume to knock climbers off their stance. Solar input has the potential to trigger this problem.
- 874
- Be increasingly cautious on sun exposed slopes.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Previous wind slabs may be sitting over a basal weakness
- Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 15th, 2019 4:00PM
