Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 16th, 2015 8:13AM

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

Avalanche Canada jfloyer, Avalanche Canada

A storm is expected to start late on Thursday. If it comes early, danger may increase during the day on Thursday.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Thursday

Weather Forecast

Thusrday during the day is expected to be mostly dry, with light southwest winds and treeline temperatures around -12C. New snow is expected to start late on Thursday and continue overnight bringing around 15-20 cm of low density snow by Friday morning. A further 5-10 cm is expected through the day on Friday acompanied by 40-60 km/h southwest ridgetop winds and treeline temperatures rising to around -4C in the afternoon. On Saturday, light snow (2-5 cm) is expected with light southwest winds and treeline temperatures around -5C.

Avalanche Summary

Only sluffing of the new snow in steep terrain has been reported since the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Recent light snowfall has added around 10 cm or so to the previous storm's 20-50. This puts around 30-60 cm recent snow sitting above a thick rain crust. Reports indicate wind loading occurred on north aspects during the storm and then subsequently on southern aspects as the wind shifted around to the north. The crust in the upper snowpack can be found as high as 2400m. At treeline elevation it is thick and supportive, and should be capping any deeper weaknesses. The weak layer from early December has recently become inactive, likely due to all the moisture in the snowpack and subsequent settlement and re-freezing.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Pockets of wind slab may exist on both north and south aspects due to recent variable wind directions.
Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 17th, 2015 2:00PM