Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 11th, 2012 8:36AM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Storm Slabs.

ali haeri, Parks Canada

Glacier.

More wind and more snow have really ramped up the avalanche hazard. A really good day to make conservative choices or head to the ski hill.

Summary

Weather Forecast

An upper trough over the interior moves southeastward bringing light to moderate precipitation this afternoon into tomorrow. An upper ridge forms Wednesday night, snow amounts are expected to be light Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

20cm of new moderate density snow over yesterdays very light upper 30cm. This sits on 60cm of settling snow from the past week. The Nov 6 Cr varies in depth from 140 to 200cm. Profile yesterday on Mt Fidelity, 1900m, 35deg, N asp, HS 220cm, CTE (SC) down 16 on PP 3.0, CTE (RP) and RB4 (WB) down 27 on PP 2-3, CTM-H (SP) down 68 on DF 1.0.

Avalanche Summary

1 Natural size 3.0 slab on Mt Green.4 Natural size 2.5 slab release in the highway corridor.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Wednesday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Sustained overnight winds with an additional load have made conditions more susceptible to windslab. This adds to the heavy snow load we have received in the past week.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Whumpfing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong inicators of unstable snowpack.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Storm Slabs

There has been 72cm of new snow over the last 5 days at treeline. Last nights storm sits over 30 cm very light snow. Conditions are likely to be "heavy over light" increasing the likelihood of skier triggering.

Expect heavy trailbreaking until the storm snow settles out.Minimize exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 12th, 2012 8:00AM