Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 18th, 2015 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada stephen holeczi, Avalanche Canada

People have started testing the waters in steeper terrain below treeline, but trust should come slowly as the Dec 3 layer is very prominent. Be curious about seeing if its there, and be conservative in your terrain choices. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Expect mainly cloudy conditions and a few cm every day through the forecast period . There will be light to moderate West winds and alpine temperatures in the -12 to -16C range for Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

In sheltered terrain between 1500m and 1850m, a 40-50cm soft slab sits over the large December 3rd surface hoar. No other significant layers have been observed. There is approximately 130-140cm at treeline.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed in past few days.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A 40-50cm soft slab sits over the Dec 3rd surface hoar in many sheltered location between 1500 m and 1850m. Continue to treat all steep (35+ degree) open slopes below tree line with suspicion until you can rule out this weak layer.

  • Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 19th, 2015 4:00PM