Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 26th, 2020 3:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs and Cornices.
mkoppang,
Avalanche Canada
Stiff windslabs are widespread in alpine terrain. If these fail there is potential to step down to the basal November crust. Good sliding can be found at the treeline and below!
Summary
Confidence
High -
Weather Forecast
A few more cm's of snow is forecast to fall over the next 24hrs but accumulations are not expected to be significant. Temperatures will begin to cool and winds will continue in the light to moderate range out of the SW. Â
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed over the past 24hrs. An investigation of the Commonwealth ridge avalanche found a fracture line up to 2m deep in places that failed overlying the Nov crust running to the valley floor.Â
Snowpack Summary
5cm of snow over the past 24hrs is overlying the recent wind slabs that were developed during the Christmas break. Alpine areas are significantly wind affected with some ridgelines scrubbed down to rock and other filled with plump slabs. In some areas the the overburden of the new wind loaded snow awoke the facets overlying the Nov crust triggerring isolated deep slab avalanches up to sz 3. At treeline windslabs are more specific in nature and unsupported or crossloaded features should be places to avoid. Hollow or drummy sounds are a good indication you are moving into wind affected terrain.Â
Terrain and Travel
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
- Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
- Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
Problems
Wind Slabs
If your in the alpine, good chance there are windlslabs. At treeline they are in more specific open areas and unsupported or crossloaded slopes should be avoided.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Recent avalanches have stepped down to this layer triggerring large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices have been growing of late and failing triggerring avalanches on the underlying slopes
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 27th, 2020 3:00PM
