Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 3rd, 2021 4:00PM

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

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The snowpack is stabilizing with cooling temps, but triggering an avalanche is possible, especially in loaded pockets near the top of a slope.

Saturday's forecast is for 10cm and light wind, if exceeded the hazard could quickly rise to considerable.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cool temps and a weak pulses of precipitation this weekend.

Tonight: Cloudy. Freezing level to valley bottom. Alpine low -10*C. Ridge top winds light SW.

Sat: Flurries (5-10cm). Alpine high -8*C. Light gusting moderate W winds.

Sun: Cloudy with flurries. Low -17*C. High -15*C. Light - mod W winds.

Mon: Mix of sun and cloud. Low -18*C. High -15*C.

Snowpack Summary

A spring snowpack in early December? Below tree-line you will find a supportive crust at or near the surface of the snowpack. At treeline this crust is buried by 10-15cm of fresh snow. In the alpine, this fresh snow (up to 30cm) overlies firm surfaces from the storm early in the week. The mid and lower snowpack is rounded and well bonded.

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanche observed or reported on Dec 03.

The massive storm on Dec 01 produced widespread avalanches, both natural and artillery triggered, up to size 3.5, many reaching valley bottom.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Fresh storm slabs may be found in exposed areas at tree-line and in the alpine. These overly a crust at treeline, and unreactive thick wind/storm slabs or icy bed surfaces from previous activity in the alpine.

  • New snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.
  • Watch for fresh storm slabs on exposed lee slopes at and above treeline.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

Expect sluffing in steep terrain.

  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Dec 4th, 2021 4:00PM