Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 3rd, 2021 3:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
matt,
Avalanche Canada
Bombing results today gave the impression that the snowpack is improving. Having said that, we're still reluctant to lower the alpine hazard, or expose ourselves to big terrain. Our hands on snowpack observations are still limited.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
A more seasonal weather pattern is finally here. The overnight low will be about -15, with a daytime high of only -12. We will also get some light flurries and cloudy skies for most of the day. Winds will continue to be light from the west. All in all, not a bad day tomorrow.
Avalanche Summary
Today saw us out doing an avalanche control run on EEOR and Mt Buller. If anyone local is interested, a quick glance out the window will tell the tale. There's currently 5 large bomb holes that only triggered surface slabs up to sz2. A couple shots on EEOR were no results. We were quite surprised at the lack of large slab avalanches. Mt Buller had similar results, with the only exciting result coming from a smooth rock slab (sz 2.5, alpine start zone).
For natural activity we did notice a sz1.5 slab avalanche on a steep south aspect alpine slope.
Snowpack Summary
Two separate control runs today gave us a pretty good picture of our current snowpack. Overall we were pleasantly surprised with the lack of avalanches. It appears that the lower (up to 2100m) snowpack was rain soaked during the storm, which now means it is frozen and essentially locked in place. Above 2100m its also an encouraging snowpack with a well settled mid pack and 5-10 cm of new snow on top. There are surface wind slabs out there that are probably still triggerable, but they tend to be isolated to immediate lee areas. The coverage is quite good for this time of year.
Terrain and Travel
- Avoid lee and cross loaded slopes in the alpine.
- Avoid slopes that sound hollow or drum-like.
Problems
Wind Slabs
The storm snow from late in the storm has formed slabs that are reactive. Convex rolls in wind prone areas should be treated with caution still.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Large triggers, or shallow areas could trigger this layer. It would be smart to dig and inspect it once you reach treeline elevations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 4th, 2021 3:00PM
