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Avalanche Forecast

Dec 19th, 2016–Dec 20th, 2016
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Sea To Sky.

Continued snowfall and strong winds will keep the avalanche danger elevated through the forecast period

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Flurries with periods of snow, accumulation 10-15cm / Moderate to strong southwest wind / Alpine temperature -4 Wednesday: Snow, accumulation 10-20cm / Moderate to strong southwest wind / Alpine temperature -6 Thursday: Periods of snow, accumulation 10-20cm / Moderate to strong southwest wind / Alpine temperature -5

Avalanche Summary

Expect avalanche activity to stay on the rise with continued new snowfall accumulating Monday night through into Tuesday combined with moderate to strong wind and warming temperatures.

Snowpack Summary

30-50cm of new snow overlies the previous variable snow surface from last week, which includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or surface hoar. Moderate to strong southwest wind has redistributed this new snow to form windslabs in the lee of terrain features in the alpine and treeline. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down 1-2m in the snowpack. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

New snow combined with moderate to strong southwest winds have created slabs on top of a variety of potential weak sliding layers.
Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and/or wind.Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3