Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 14th, 2016 3:58PM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

South Columbia.

The cold will stick around through to the end of the week.

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Sunny with cloudy periods / Light northeast wind / Alpine temperature -11Friday: Sunny with cloudy periods / Light northeast wind / Alpine temperature -19 Saturday: Cloudy with isolated flurries / Light to moderate west wind / Alpine temperature of -15

Avalanche Summary

Recent avalanche activity is limited to isolated thin windslab releases to size 1 in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Recent low density storm snow has been facetting due to the cold temperatures. Variable wind effect has created wind slabs in the alpine. Watch for a recently buried layer of surface hoar down 30-40cm that may develop a poor bonding layer. The depth of the mid-november crust is also variable across the region. Reports have the crust down between 100-200 cm and snowpack tests have produced a variety of results from moderate and sudden to hard and resistant, and in some cases no result. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and/or below. This may provide a weak layer above a smooth sliding surface in the future.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are reported to exist in the alpine. Watch for conditions that change with aspect and elevation.

The recent snow may now be hiding windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 15th, 2016 2:00PM