Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 21st, 2019 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.
stephen holeczi,
Parks Canada
Clearing skies and new snow will lure people back into the mountains, but stay out of avalanche terrain and away from the runouts of large paths.
Avalanche control on Mounts Whymper, Simpson, Wardle Sunday. No activities there during that time.
Summary
Weather Forecast
The end of the storm is coming Saturday night. Temperatures will be in the -10C range Sunday, and winds will be light from the West with a few lingering flurries and cloud. Temperatures will continue to cool through the beginning of next week.
Snowpack Summary
30-70cm of warm, wet snow in the past 48hrs with moderate to strong S/SW winds. Storm slabs have formed at all elevations and aspects. Below the new snow the snowpack structure is generally weak, consisting of facets and depth hoar and a Nov crust up to 2500m. These weak layers are getting overloaded with all of the new snow.
Avalanche Summary
Visibility has been very limited but there have been avalanches up to size 3 in various locations. We suspect a good sized avalanche cycle is occurring.
Confidence
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs will be everywhere and will remain reactive while the snowpack adjusts to the new load.
- If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Storm snow is forming reactive slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The weak, faceted mid and lower pack is overloaded by the new storm snow at all elevations. Lots of uncertainty surrounds this layer, but if triggered it would result in a large avalanche.
- Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
In the short term this will be a problem, especially in gully features and off of sidewalls.
- If triggered dry loose point releases can form deeper deposits in terrain traps.
- 874
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 22nd, 2019 4:00PM
