Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 22nd, 2014 7:40AM
The alpine rating is Storm Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include It's easy to trigger avalanches right now. Conditions are expected to deteriorate further before Christmas. Play safe.
Summary
Confidence
Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Weather Forecast
Expect moderate snowfall on Tuesday (5-20cm) with moderate to strong south-westerly winds and freezing level around 1200m. A cooler northwest flow may bring light snow or flurries on Wednesday and Thursday.
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, several size 2-2.5 naturally-triggered avalanches were reported. Storm slabs were also triggered by explosives and a skier. Both failed on buried surface hoar.
Snowpack Summary
Anywhere from 20-60cm of recent storm snow overlies a touchy layer of buried surface hoar, which sits on a crust below about 2100m. Winds from the north-west through south-west have created wind slabs, which are very reactive where they overlie the buried surface hoar. A lower layer of surface hoar is also reactive at the northern end of the range, buried down about 40cm. A hard rain crust with facets from early November is buried over 1 m down and is still reactive to light loads in some locations.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Recent new snow has built slabs over a touchy layer of buried surface hoar crystals, creating dangerous avalanche conditions.
Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features by sticking to ridges and ribs.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
In some parts of the region, large avalanches have been failing on a deeply buried weak layer.
Conditions may be worse in the north of the region, so get to know your local snowpack.>Avoid common trigger zones including thin snowpack areas, near rocky outcrops, and steep alpine slopes.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 23rd, 2014 2:00PM