Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 15th, 2015 8:16AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

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Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Mainly clear skies are forecast for Wednesday and Thursday morning. Increased cloud is expected throughout the day on Thursday with up to 5cm of new snow falling between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Ridgetop winds should be light to moderate from the north on Wednesday, switching to strong and southwesterly with Thursday's snowfall. Freezing levels should hover around valley bottom for the forecast period. For a more detailed weather overview, check-out our Mountain Weather Forecast at: avalanche.ca/weather

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported from the region. This may speak more to a lack of observations rather than actual conditions. I would expect newly formed wind slabs to be sensitive to human triggering for the next few days in high elevation lee terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Remote weather stations indicate 5-12cm of new snow fell on Monday night. These new accumulations were likely redistributed by strong winds into new wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. The few reports we've received suggest the height of snow at treeline is approximately 100cm. According to these reports, the mid-snowpack is mainly comprised of older settled storm snow, while weak facets exist at or near the ground.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow and wind on Monday night has likely formed new wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline. Watch for conditions that change with elevation, and use increased caution in gullies and around ridgecrests.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 16th, 2015 2:00PM