Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 15th, 2012 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeGood alpine ski quality reported on sheltered SE through NE aspects West of the divide today. Wind exposed areas have variable ski quality. Generally good ice climbing conditions until Monday. SH
Summary
Weather Forecast
Continued cool temperatures, light to moderate SW winds, and no new snow will not change the hazard for Sunday. Monday expect moderate to strong winds switching from SW to NW in the alpine, and possibly 10cm of snow at upper elevations which may increase the overall hazard.
Snowpack Summary
Cold temps facetting the snowpack, especially in thinner areas. In thicker snowpack areas there is generally a well settled midpack with the Nov. 6 crust lying 20-30cm above the ground up to 2700m. This has been observed to be breaking down as time goes on, facetting in thinner snowpack areas. Thin windslabs from previous NW winds in exposed areas.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity observed in the past 24 hrs.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
A trip report from Surprise pass (N/NE aspect) found pencil hard, thin windslabs in wind exposed terrain. These have also been found near ridge top but have been stubborn to unreactive in field tests.
- Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
We are seeing weakening of the Nov 6 crust in thinner areas due to facetting. Although we haven't seen activity on this layer recently, it is still a prominent feature of the snow pack, and should be evaluated in bigger features.
- Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 16th, 2012 4:00PM