Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 10th, 2014 8:57AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

This bulletin was published using very limited field data. You can help by using the new Mountain Information Network. For more info, check out this blog post: http://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/VIYBuScAAJdbdqPz/m-i-n-intro

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

The sub-tropical storm cycle will continue through Thursday bringing another round of light precipitation, strong southwest winds and freezing levels at about 2500m. As the system moves east on Friday there may be lingering light snowfall, light southwest winds and freezing levels at about 1800m. By Saturday a dry ridge should develop bringing clearing skies, light northwest winds and freezing levels at about 1200m.

Avalanche Summary

Loose wet avalanches to size 1.5 were observed on Wednesday in the Elk Valley North area between 1600 and 2000m.

Snowpack Summary

Recent warming suggests snow surfaces are likely moist or wet at most elevations. There is at least one, maybe more, problematic layers in the mid and lower snowpack. About 90cm of settled snow overlies a weak layer of facets and crusts which formed during November's dry spell. Not much is known about the reactivity of this layer, nor the slab above it, but I'd assume it exists in most alpine terrain.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Warm temperatures and the load from rain may spark renewed destructive avalanche activity on weak layers near the base of the snowpack. These weak layers may surprise with nasty consequences.

Avoid slopes with variable snowpack depths. Avalanches may be triggered from thin spots around boulders or small trees.>Avoid large alpine slopes that have a deeply buried crust with facets. >

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Loose Wet

Warming may trigger loose wet avalanche activity, especially in areas where loose snow overrides a hard crust.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 11th, 2014 2:00PM