Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 12th, 2017 3:50PM

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

swerner, Avalanche Canada

Lizard-Flathead.

Isolated wind slabs may be found at upper elevations. Good quality riding can be found on sheltered, shady slopes.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. Alpine temperatures near -6 and freezing levels at valley bottom. Ridgetop winds light from the west.Thursday: Cloudy with alpine temperatures near -8 . Ridgetop winds light from the west. Friday: Cloudy with sunny periods and possible flurries. Alpine temperatures near -5 and light-moderate ridgetop winds from the southwest.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed on Tuesday.Please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

A variety of snow surfaces exist throughout the region. Stiff wind slabs sit on a wide range of aspects on alpine and exposed treeline slopes. In sheltered treeline and below treeline terrain, I suspect light amounts of low-density snow intermingle with surface hoar and surface facets (sugary snow).Roughly 30-60 cm below the surface you'll likely find a hard crust that was buried near the end of November. This crust is approximately 30 cm thick and extends from 1600 m to mountain top on all aspects. Below this crust, the snowpack is moist to ground. Average snowpack depths at treeline elevations in the region range from 80-120 cm.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate to strong winds on Tuesday have formed wind slabs on a wide range of aspects at higher elevations.

Be careful with wind loaded areas, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 13th, 2017 2:00PM