Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 18th, 2018 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Storm Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeMore snow is raising the avalanche danger. It is a good time to stay out of backcountry avalanche terrain and shred some pow at your local ski hill!
Summary
Weather Forecast
Two significant frontal systems are lined up to move inland over the next three days. 25-40 cm of additional new snow is expected along the divide by end of day on Thursday. This snow will be accompanied by moderate to strong SW winds. Freezing levels remain at valley bottom. On Friday, temperatures cool with lighter windspeeds and snow amounts
Snowpack Summary
Another 5-10 cm of snow has fallen on Tuesday bringing the total to 50-70 cms sitting on top of the Dec 10th weak layer (facets and surface hoar). Fresh windslabs can be expected on lee (north and east) aspects. The lower snowpack is weak and facetted. Any avalanches initiated in the storm snow have potential to step down to this lower layer.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous natural and skier (or explosive) triggered avalanches up to 2.5 have been reported over the past few days. Avalanches may run further down slope than expected, so be cautious of overhead hazard.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Problems
Storm Slabs
Another 25-40 cm of new snow is forecast by end of day Thursday. This is falling on 50-70 cm deep storm slabs that have been reactive over the last week. These slabs are sitting on the Dec. 10th layer of facets and surface hoar.
Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Avoid all avalanche terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are weak and are now overloaded with critical levels of snow. We expect avalanches to step down to this deeper layer, especially in thinner snowpack areas.
Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Good day to make conservative terrain choices.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 19th, 2018 4:00PM