Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 23rd, 2015 8:06AM

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

Parks Canada danyelle magnan, Parks Canada

Conditions are great out there. The snowpack is strengthening, and the new snow is light and fluffy. Danger is decreasing, but still keep your head up. Watch for sluffing and be cautious where the snow is wind affected. 

Summary

Weather Forecast

Expect a cool and cloudy day, with a few flurries and moderate winds at ridgetop. Alpine temps are forecast to be -15 and -8 at treeline.  By tomorrow morning we should receive another 5cm of new snow, with continued flurries through Christmas day. 

Snowpack Summary

45cm of low density new snow over the past 5 days sits on 1m of settled storm snow from last week. Recent tests continue to indicate that the Dec and Nov surface hoar layers are becoming unreactive, and generally the snowpack is strong. Periods of moderate winds from various directions have created pockets of soft wind slab in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanches were observed in the Park yesterday. Recent avalanches have been triggered when the winds pick up, loading steep lee features.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Recent winds have been shifting from the S to the N, creating pockets of soft windslab in lee features. Be especially cautious in steep terrain where the consequences of a fall caused by a small pocket of windslab would be serious.
Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry
With 45cm of low density snow expect sluffing in steep terrain. Be aware of where other people are, regroup in safe spots, and avoid exposure to terrain traps.
Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 24th, 2015 8:00AM