Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 21st, 2016 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeControl work today confirm touchy windslabs remain in the alpine and treeline - this layer will need some time to settle and bond with the underlying facets.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Relatively warm winter temperatures, a little more snow and continued westerly winds are forecast for the area. This should be good news in the long term, but it is expected that the new snow or windslab/facet interface will take a while to bond.
Snowpack Summary
The storm has brought us 15 to 30 cm of new snow, with more falling on the West side of the Divide. Moderate to strong winds have created a windslab that overlays a very loose faceted snowpack. The windslab/facet interface was touchy in avalanche control work on Tuesday. The Nov crust is 30-80cm deep, and is not currently reactive.
Avalanche Summary
Size 2 to 3 slab avalanches observed today running far for their mass. The most impressive results on Mt. Bosworth with long propagations & one slope failed when the explosive bag hit the slope. The failure layer are the windslabs on the facets. Not many naturals reported or seen, except for a size 2 over Pilsner climb area on Mt Dennis.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and strong winds have created a windslab on exposed slopes in the alpine and tree line that could be easilly skier triggered. This new slab sits over a very faceted snowpack creating a weak interface.
Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 22nd, 2016 4:00PM