Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 8th, 2018 5:15PM

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

shorton, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

Avalanches are most likely in alpine terrain where the snow feels stiff or slabby, especially on wind-affected slopes.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Increasing cloud, light wind, alpine temperatures drop to -15 C.SUNDAY: Mainly cloudy, strong wind out of the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.MONDAY: Cloudy, moderate wind out of the west, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.TUESDAY: Flurries with 1-3 cm of snow, strong wind out of the west, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the region. Small wind slabs have been reported in neighboring regions. If you have been out, please submit any observations to the Mountain Information Network MIN.

Snowpack Summary

Early season conditions prevail in this region with roughly 30-90 cm of snow in alpine areas and much less at lower elevations. Surface conditions may range from soft power, hard wind slab, and some sun crusts. Isolated pockets of stiff wind slab likely exist on leeward slopes. The bottom half of the snowpack is composed of weak sugary snow and crusts. This layer has not been active, but terrain features like smooth alpine bowls with variable snowpack depths are still suspect given this snowpack structure.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The weak snow in the lower snowpack could produce large avalanches. Be cautions in areas where the surface snow has formed a cohesive slab, such as wind deposits.

Back off if you encounter signs of instability like whumphing, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 9th, 2018 2:00PM