Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 18th, 2014 8:00AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs.
danyelle magnan,
Parks Canada
Challenging skiing conditions exist below 1900m. New snow is burying, and preserving, large and weak surface hoar crystals. As the snow continues to accumulate into the weekend it will bond poorly to the surfaces below.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Today expect continued flurries, with accumulations up to 6cm and freezing levels potentially rising to 1500m. On Friday, another 6cm is expected with freezing levels up to 1700m. Moderate S winds will have new snow to transport onto lee slopes. Saturday, freezing levels will lover to 1400m with another 5cm and moderate S winds.
Snowpack Summary
6cm of snow has buried large surface hoar which sits on a rain crust to 2100m and on settled snow above 2100m. Pockets of surface hoar that was buried in early Dec is down ~40cm, is spotty in distribution, but may be triggerable if present. Well settled mid-pack with 30cm crust/facet basal weakness (Nov 9) observed in certain locations.
Avalanche Summary
No new natural avalanches occurred yesterday. On the 16th skiers accidentally triggered a small avalanche on the fan of the Forever Young Couloir, in a shallow rocky area.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Problems
Persistent Slabs
The November crust weaknesses at the bottom of the snowpack are difficult to trigger, but if they fail the consequences will be very high.
Be wary of slopes that did not previously avalanche.Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 19th, 2014 8:00AM
