Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 17th, 2019 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
william lawson,
Parks Canada
The extent of the new wind slab distribution is uncertain. Where it exist you can expect the new load to be reactive.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Strong winds Tuesday will begin to dissipate over night, expect values to remain in the moderate range Wednesday. Temperatures will gradually warm through the week with forecasted freezing levels climbing to 1600m by Friday. A trace of snow for Wednesday, Thursday. Accumulation will intensify by the weeks end with up to 25cm Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
Strong winds have formed new wind slab at alpine and tree line. The distribution of this new load is uncertain. Beneath the recent 40-60 cm of storm snow, the snowpack structure is generally weak, consisting of facets and depth hoar. The Nov crust is present up to 2500m and ~30 cm up from ground. Snowpack depths at treeline range from 80-160 cm.
Avalanche Summary
No new natural avalanche activity for the past two days. Local ski hills have reported small wind slabs reactive to ski cuts.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Sustained strong winds Tuesday have formed new wind slabs at alpine and tree line elevations. The distribution of the new load is uncertain. Where it is present you can expect the new load to be reactive in the short term.
- Caution on open steep slopes at treeline that have been exposed to wind loading.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created slabs over weaker snow.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The recent snow sits over weak facet and crust layers. As time goes on the chance of triggering is becoming less likely, but there is lots of uncertainty as to where you could trigger an avalanche and what it will take to get it moving.
- Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 18th, 2019 4:00PM
