Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 7th, 2019 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada MBender, Avalanche Canada

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

Summary

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.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing 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

An icon showing 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

Valid until: Dec 8th, 2019 5:00PM