Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 26th, 2012–Dec 27th, 2012

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Sea To Sky.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Overcast with very light precipitation. Light winds. Freezing level near 600 m.Friday: Light SW winds. Freezing level near 600 m. Light snow.Saturday: Mainly dry with light NW winds.

Avalanche Summary

Wind slabs have been triggered naturally, by explosives and by skiers recently, but activity seems to have slowed. Some large cornice chunks have been failing naturally.

Snowpack Summary

New and buried wind slabs may be found in alpine and open treeline terrain. Fragile cornices exist. In sheltered areas below treeline, loose snow is slowly becoming more consolidated. Three surface hoar layers in the upper/mid snowpack appear to be gaining strength. In general, the mid-pack is strong.Near the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet layer has become unlikely to be triggered. However, professionals are still mindful of thin snowpack trigger areas or large loads which could wake it up again, leading to a very large avalanche.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

New wind slabs may be triggered by the weight of a person on terrain features lee to easterly winds. Old wind slabs are buried in many alpine and open treeline areas.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 4