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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 4th, 2017–Dec 5th, 2017
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Lizard-Flathead.

Lingering wind slab problems are keeping avalanche danger in a holding pattern for one more day. Strong sunshine and warming are set to undermine stability later in the week.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. Light west winds. Alpine temperatures of -6.Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud. LIght west winds. Alpine temperatures around -4 and rising in late afternoon and evening as a strong temperature inversion establishes itself.Thursday: Mainly sunny with possible thin valley cloud. Light west winds. Strong alpine temperature inversion bringing alpine temperatures to around +5. Slightly cooler at lower elevations.

Avalanche Summary

Reports from Monday showed a couple of wind slabs releasing naturally and with ski cutting to Size 1.5 in the Fernie area. On Sunday, avalanche control with explosives triggered numerous size 1 dry loose avalanches above 1900 m from northeast aspects. Reactive wind slabs and dry loose avalanches may persist through Tuesday. Please submit your observations this weekend to the Mountain Information Network. Give info, get info.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 50 cm of accumulated storm snow has fallen on the crust that formed a week ago. The buried crust is supportive and approximately 10 cm thick. It extends from 1600 m to mountain top elevations on all aspects. Lots of uncertainty exists with the new snow sticking to the crust. Winds are likely redistributing the new snow above treeline and possibly forming wind slabs on leeward slopes and terrain features. The average snowpack depth at treeline is 60-80 cm while a deeper snowpack exists in the alpine.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Avalanche activity has become increasingly localized to wind affected areas where wind slabs have been building. Keep your guard up in wind-sheltered areas. Dry loose avalanches may be able to push you into terrain features that have consequence.
Be careful with wind loaded areas, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain, particularly where the debris flows into terrain traps.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2