Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 9th, 2018 5:13PM

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

Avalanche Canada shorton, Avalanche Canada

Watch for fresh wind slabs on Monday and prepare for the next big storm!

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Lingering flurries with 5 cm of snow overnight, strong wind out of the southwest, freezing level drops to 500 m.MONDAY: Ongoing flurries throughout the day bring another 5-10 cm of snow and then the next storm arrives Monday night bringing 15-30 cm overnight, strong wind out of the southwest increasing to extreme throughout the day, freezing level steady around 700 m.TUESDAY: Another 10-20 cm of snow during the day, extreme wind out of the southwest, and freezing level climbing to 1000 m.WEDNESDAY: Lingering flurries before another storm arrives Wednesday night, strong wind out of the west, freezing level dropping to 500 m.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been reported. Please post your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN) this weekend.

Snowpack Summary

New snow will accumulate as a series of storms bring much needed snow to the region. With strong winds in the forecast expect thicker wind deposits at high elevations. The new snow will likely bond poorly to the weak surface hoar and facets that have been sitting on the surface for the past week. Deeper in the snowpack, there are reports of several crusts including an early season crust with facets near the bottom of the snowpack.We currently have limited snowpack observations, but expect snow depths ranging from 70-120 cm in the alpine. This decreases dramatically with elevation where the primary hazards are rocks, stumps, and open creeks.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Strong to extreme wind from the south will form reactive slabs in lee terrain.
Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 10th, 2018 2:00PM