Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 12th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Garth Lemke,
Despite the lack of natural activity, there is a lot of new snow present. Remember Moderate means human triggering remains possible and it is wise to assess each slope.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Sunday is clouds, sun, and flurries, trace snow, -11 and light Southwest winds. Monday will be similar. Tuesday may bring 5cm of snow, colder temperatures, and gusting 40km/hr Southwest ridge winds.
Snowpack Summary
40cm of storm snow from Dec 8th remains soft, continues to stabilize and settle. Wind-slabs only formed at exposed ridgetop features. The new snow overlies a variety of surfaces ranging from firm snow to surface facets and crusts on steep solar aspects. The depth of the Nov 4th rain crust is 60-80cm down and caps basal facets and depth hoar.
Avalanche Summary
No patrol on Saturday and nothing new reported. Thursday and Friday's patrols observed no new avalanches and visibility was excellent. Wednesday noted numerous loose dry natural avalanches size 1.5 on steep alpine slopes and explosive control released only a few slab size 2 and one size 3 on a NE alpine feature.Â
Confidence
Due to the number and quality of field observations
Problems
Wind Slabs
Tuesday's 40cm storm had some moderate Southwest winds which loaded some slopes into windslabs. Winds have been light to calm since then but be vigilant for wind loading signs. Caution is warranted despite the lack of natural activity.
- Use caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
The Nov. 4 crust is down 60cm to 80cm at tree line. Triggering a wind slab could potentially step down to this deeper layer creating large destructive avalanches. Be cautious of thick to thin snowpack areas being likely trigger locations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 13th, 2020 4:00PM
