Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 19th, 2013 7:19AM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeSummary
Confidence
Good
Weather Forecast
Winds picking up this evening to the moderate to strong levels at ridge line. Valley bottom winds will be light. Temperatures are expected to remain consistent with today's, a high of -15 in the alpine. No new snow.
Avalanche Summary
A widespread cycle occurred last night and into this morning. For the most part the avalanches were located below cliffs that had continuous spindrift. The spindrift increased the load on the Oct crust, and at the same time it made a slab with enough density to propagate. These avalanches ran far and fast. There were some exceptions. Several avalanches in skiable terrain (sz2) were observed as were numerous loose dry(sz 1) avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
Yesterday's storm snow has settled quickly. 18cm of storm snow as of this afternoon. BTL the trailbreaking is still challenging in untracked areas. At TL and ALP elevations the snowpack is variable in both depth and quality. Any terrain exposed directly to last week's winds is stripped dry with a dusting of storm snow on top. Lee areas are covered with a thick hard slab, which is in turn covered with storm snow. Lots of snow available for wind transport! HS @ Burstall pass: 92cm, HS @ road: 69cm
Problems
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 20th, 2013 2:00PM