Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 21st, 2021 4:07PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Grant Statham,
The solid conditions of the last few days will change starting Tuesday night as a new storm brings 20 cm of snow and strong winds over the next few days, tapering just in time for the Christmas deep freeze.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A low pressure system caught up in a NW flow is crossing the region and bringing strong winds and new snow starting Tuesday evening. Expect 10 cm by the end of day Wednesday and up to 20 cm by Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
Strong winds combined with 10 cm of overnight new snow will create a windslab problem for Wednesday, most notable in the Lake Louise/Bow Summit area. There is 40-60 cm over the Dec 2 rain crust which exists below 2200 but is not yet active. The lower snowpack is well settled but shallow areas (<100 cm) may still have a DPS issue near the ground.
Avalanche Summary
Both SSV and LL ski are report thin windslab formation from strong winds on Tuesday, up to size 1.5. Also noted a ~48-hr old unusual size 2 avalanche at 2000m on Tumbling Peak in a very shallow snowpack area. Looked like someone may have taken a nasty ride.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and strong winds will create new windslabs that may bond poorly to the old surface. Manage your terrain choices carefully on Wednesday to avoid leeward areas.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 22nd, 2021 4:00PM
