Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 3rd, 2016 3:55PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
jlammers,
Avalanche Canada
Forecast snowfall amounts are highly variable for Saturday night with highest amounts expected in the south of the region. Pay close attention to how much snow falls in your riding area, and be prepared to back off to mellow terrain.
Summary
Confidence
-
Weather Forecast
Saturday night and early Sunday morning: 10-25cm of new snow / Strong southwest winds / Alpine temperatures at -8. Sunday: Light flurries with clearing skies in th afternoon / Light north winds / Alpine temperatures at -12. Monday: Clear skies / Light variable winds / Alpine temperatures at -12. Tuesday: Clear skies / Light north winds / Alpine temperatures at -16
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanche observations have been submitted. Moderate SW winds and new snow could build new storm slabs on leeward slopes and behind terrain features. Pay attention to changing avalanche conditions especially at upper elevations.
Snowpack Summary
Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region, but the threshold for avalanches has been exceeded at treeline and in the alpine. Some areas below treeline are below threshold for avalanches with only the smoothest open slopes beginning to reach threshold. Fresh storm slabs are building with new snow and wind, and are expected to be most reactive in high elevation, wind-affected terrain. A thick melt-freeze crust from mid-November is down around 70 cm. Recent observations indicate the layer is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow; however, reports of sudden test results in the South Columbia region suggest we shouldn't write this layer off just yet. The snowpack below this is generally strong and well-settled.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Strong winds and new snow forecast for Saturday night will add to an ongoing storm slab problem. High alpine terrain will likely be wind-affected, so the best and safest riding may be in lower-elevation, sheltered terrain.
Be alert to conditions that change with elevation. Continually make observations as you travel.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 4th, 2016 2:00PM
