Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 9th, 2021 3:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
matt,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for variable winds that don't match the forecast, today had an unexpected wind pattern that loaded slopes from the north.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate -
Weather Forecast
Tomorrow will be cloudy with flurries, but no significant accumulation. Winds will remain westerly, but pick up early afternoon with 60km/hr winds expected at summit elevations. Temperatures will be between -16 and -11.
Some forecasts are suggesting another storm on Saturday. We will see if this happens, but be aware that hazard levels are based on this expected snow.
Avalanche Summary
Nothing new today.
Snowpack Summary
Thankfully the crust has been buried with about 10cm at valley bottom and up to 30cm at treeline. It also felt like the crust was a bit softer, or facetted out. Our ski edges could cut into it which helped the ski quality. At about 2150-2200m the crust predictably disappeared and the snowpack felt quite good in sheltered areas. Once in more exposed treeline areas, the windslabs appeared. At the moment immediate lee areas at treeline feel the spookiest. Overall the alpine looks very wind affected, especially on north aspects, but there are some sheltered areas up against the major faces where the wind affect is less.
Terrain and Travel
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
- Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Fresh wind slabs are forming on all aspects due to variable winds. These will be sensitive to human triggering.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
This will likely be triggered from a thin spot within the snowpack. Watch the transitional areas from thin to thick.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 10th, 2021 3:00PM
