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Avalanche Forecast

Dec 7th, 2019–Dec 8th, 2019
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Purcells.

Expect to see cooler drier conditions prevail into the early part of the week.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to extremely variable snowpack conditions reported through the region.

Weather Forecast

Saturday Night: Scattered flurries, alpine temperature -10, light to moderate northwest wind.

Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperature -9, light to moderate northwest wind.

Monday: Cloudy with sunny breaks. Alpine temperature -8, light northwest wind.

Tuesday: Cloudy with sunny breaks. Alpine temperature -8, light northwest wind.

Avalanche Summary

Reports from Thursday and Friday indicate explosives triggered size 1-2 wind slab avalanches, mostly on northerly alpine features.

Snowpack Summary

15-35 cm of new snow accumulated in the north of the region through the past week with lesser amounts around Panorama and south. The new snow has covered surface hoar in sheltered areas and various wind-affected surfaces elsewhere.

The old wind-affected snow sits over a crust on solar aspects in the alpine or a surface hoar/crust combination around treeline. The surface hoar is down 25-45 cm and seems to be isolated to the north of the region or areas with a relatively deeper snowpack.

There are a variety of crusts buried in the mid to lower snowpack. These crusts have begun to break down. The base of the snowpack generally consists of facets and depth hoar.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent southwest winds switching to northwest have created windslabs on a variety of aspects.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Recent cold temperatures have reduced strength and faceted the snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5