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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 8th, 2015–Dec 9th, 2015
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Little Yoho.

New snow has helped the ski quality.  More snow forecasted for Wednesday may further stress the Dec 3 weak layer.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday's storm will taper off tonight, snowfall totals will be 10-25 cm.  A smaller system starting around noon on Wednesday will bring 10-15 cm. FL will drop tonight and through Wednesday as the front passes.  Winds will also drop to light with some strong gusts from the W-SW.

Snowpack Summary

The Dec 3rd interface is buried by 30-50 cm of storm snow and is a layer to watch right now. This interface consists of facets and large surface hoar below 2000m, wind effect in the alpine, and sun crusts on steep S and SW aspects. Moderate S and SW winds are building soft slabs in the lee of alpine features. The lower snowpack is well settled.

Avalanche Summary

Small windslabs local to ridgecrests are reactive to skier traffic in the alpine and at treeline. Some cracking observed in a steep below treeline glade today where the Dec. 3rd surface hoar was present. Again, limited observations in the alpine due to poor visibility.

Confidence

Track of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

30 -50 cms of storm snow in the alpine and at treeline is being blown by moderate to strong S/ SW winds and forming windslabs in immediate lees of prominent features and ridgelines.

  • Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
  • Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Storm Slabs

30 - 50 cm's of new snow is slowly settling into a cohesive slab. This slab will be most reactive below 2000m where it overlies the Dec. 3rd surface hoar or facets, especially on Northerly aspects or on steeper sheltered glades.

  • Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
  • Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2