Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 5th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Mark Herbison,
Pockets of wind slab may be found in the Alpine.
Cold temps and short daylight hours, give yourself extra time to move through the hard crusty conditions at lower elevations.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Monday will see a mix of sun and cloud, isolated flurries with accumulations up to 2cm. Ridge top winds will be light from the South West and the freezing level will remain at valley bottom. Temps will be cool as the Alpine high may reach -13. Another pulse of snow arrives Tuesday evening and into Wednesday with ~20cm forecasted.
Snowpack Summary
At tree line and below, the Dec 1 crust is now buried by 5-25cm of snow. In the alpine, 20-40cm of snow has been redistributed by moderate Westerly winds and either lies on previous wind effect or icy bed surfaces from last weeks avalanche cycle. The mid and lower snowpack is rounded and well bonded. Travel conditions at lower elevations is rugged.
Avalanche Summary
Size 1.0 skier triggered soft slabs in steep, unsupported terrain where the new snow sits on the Dec 1 crust.
The Dec 1 storm produced widespread avalanches, both natural and artillery triggered, up to size 3.5, many reaching valley bottom. The frozen debris from these means travel in low elevation run-outs is rugged.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may be found in exposed areas in the alpine. These overly previous wind effect or icy bed surfaces from previous avalanche activity.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small slab avalanches may have severe consequences.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 6th, 2021 4:00PM
