Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 8th, 2021 3:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada JMackenzie, Avalanche Canada

A pulse of snow with continued strong winds have elevated the hazard level. Human triggering of slab avalanches is likely.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Thursday will be cloudy with light flurries. Snow accumulations will likely be less than 5cm. Winds will be strong from the West with daytime temps reaching -14C. The forecast looks similar on Friday, but snowy on Saturday.

Avalanche Summary

Weather conditions limited observations today, but a few avalanches were heard while in the Highwood Pass area.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 20cm of new snow in the last 24 hours, with continued strong winds in the Alpine. Field teams observed strong winds from both the north and the south today, so fresh wind slabs are likely forming on all aspects. A number of crusts and a well consolidate snowpack make up the middle of the snowpack. The basal layer of the early November layer of rain crust at lower elevations and facets at upper elevations are still being monitored, but have not been active lately. The overall snowpack is quite different above and below 2150m. Below this elevation the snowpack is essentially frozen layers of previous rain saturated snow. Above this elevation the snowpack is deeper than normal for this time of year and is quite strong through the midpack.

Terrain and Travel

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Be cautious of sluffing.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Fresh wind slabs are forming on all aspects due to variable winds. These will be sensitive to human triggering.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

The basal crust/facet layer from early November is cause for concern. Full depth avalanches are a possibility.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Dec 9th, 2021 3:00PM