Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 25th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
TRettie,
Avalanche Canada
Continue to assess the wind effect and avoid wind loaded pockets near ridge crests. Wind slabs will likely continue to be more reactive in the south part of the region.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to field data and reports showing a wide variation in conditions throughout the region.
Weather Forecast
Saturday night: some light flurries with moderate east-northeast winds. Low of -30 at 1300m.
Sunday: some light flurries possible with moderate to strong northeast winds in the north and light to moderate southeast in the south. Temperatures steady around -28 at 1300m.
Monday: possibility of some light flurries . Wind will be moderate from the Northwest in the alpine. High of -28 at 1300m.
Tuesday: Some light flurries with moderate north winds. high of -25 at 1300m.
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday our field team observed some natural avalanche activity up to size 1.5 in steep or extreme terrain in the treeline while in the southern part of the forecast region.
Explosives on Thursday produced wind slabs up too size 1.5 in treeline and alpine start zones with limited propagation.
Snowpack Summary
Easterly winds will have formed wind slab on west aspects and scoured the east. Cross loading could exist on other aspects.
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A surface hoar layer up to size 4 was recently buried, it is not yet a problem.
Snowpack depth at treeline typically ranges from 100-250 cm, with the shallower value mainly on the eastern side of the range and the deepest snowpack around Renshaw.
Terrain and Travel
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
- Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
- Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Easterly winds have likely formed wind slab on west aspects and cross loaded others. Sensitivity to triggering will be greatest near ridge crests, especially in the southern part of the region where more snow was available for transport.
Aspects: North, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 26th, 2021 4:00PM
