Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 23rd, 2017 3:07PM

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

shorton, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

The best riding is in sheltered areas. Enjoy the clear crisp weather and submit your photos and observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN)!

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY: Sunny with some cloud, moderate east winds, treeline temperatures around -14 C.MONDAY: Sunny, moderate northwest winds, treeline temperatures around -16 C.TUESDAY: Sunny, moderate northwest winds, treeline temperatures around -18 C.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported. On Thursday, some small avalanches were triggered by ski cutting on small wind loaded pockets in the Hankin area.

Snowpack Summary

Surface snow has been affected by recent winds from a variety of directions. The degree of wind affect varies throughout the region, with the most dramatic winds associated with outflow conditions in the western parts of the region near coastal inlets. Sheltered areas may still have 10 to 30 cm of powder from previous storms. Roughly 20 cm below the surface, a highly variable weak layer exists. It comprises of facets in cold areas, crusts on solar aspects, and in protected areas below 1500 m, feathery surface hoar. In most places, insufficient snow has fallen above this layer for it to be reactive, but it should be considered in deep snow areas, or where the wind has blown additional snow over the top of it.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Winds slabs can likely be found on a wide range of aspects in alpine terrain as winds have shifted throughout the week.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 24th, 2017 2:00PM