Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 23rd, 2019 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.
Benjamin Firth,
Parks Canada
Surprisingly little avalanche activity as a result of the significant amount of storm snow received this past week. Uncertainty remains on how reactive this new snow will be to human traffic. Conservative terrain choices are recommended
Summary
Weather Forecast
Clear skies and calm winds will continue through Tuesday. Tuesday night winds will increase from the NW and continue through to later in the week.
Snowpack Summary
45cms of mostly undisturbed HST continues to settle and with cold temperatures tighten up. This overlies a mosaic of buried wind slab, ground and facetted weak layers. Basal layers continue to develop into larger facets and depth hoar. Surface hoar continue to grow in sheltered areas.
Avalanche Summary
Surprising little avalanche activity in the last 72 hours given the amounts of storm snow that has fallen on the forecast area in the last week. A new size 2 wind slab out of northerly treeline lee feature and some dry loose up to size 2 out of steep alpine terrain were the only new avalanches in the last 24 hours.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations on Monday
Problems
Storm Slabs
Surprising little avalanche activity on this layer. Uncertainty related to how sensitive this problem will be to human triggers
- Avoid steep, open slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Dry loose and storm slab avalanches may step down to weak layers close to the ground producing large avalanches
- If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
A significant amount of snow has accumulated on steep features
- If triggered dry loose point releases can form deeper deposits in terrain traps.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 24th, 2019 4:00PM
