Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 14th, 2016 3:52PM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

Purcells.

Cold weather to the end of the week...

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light southeast wind / Alpine temperature -13Friday: Sunny with cloudy periods / Light north wind / Alpine temperature -20 Saturday: Cloudy with isolated flurries / Light to moderate west wind / Alpine temperature of -14Â

Avalanche Summary

Recent avalanche activity has been limited to a few windslab releases in the alpine to size 1.

Snowpack Summary

Recent wind has formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects in the alpine. The cold temperatures and clear skies are developing facets near the surface. There may be a layer of surface hoar buried 20-40cm deep in sheltered areas. Alpine snow depths are around 120-170 cm, and the widespread mid-november crust is buried down around 70-90 cm. Snowpack and crust depths increase as you move west toward the Selkirk Range. It sounds like there is a bit less snow on the ground in the south of the region, but we have not had many observations at this time. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and below. This may provide a hard surface with a weak sliding layer in the future. Please let us know what you find by posting to the MIN (Mountain Information Network).

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are reported to exist at treeline and in the alpine. Watch for conditions that change with aspect and elevation.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.The recent snow is now hiding windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 15th, 2016 2:00PM