Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 23rd, 2019 4:00PM

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

Parks Canada Benjamin Firth, Parks Canada

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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

An icon showing 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

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing 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

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

An icon showing 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

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 24th, 2019 4:00PM