Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 16th, 2015 4:31PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs.
Stephen Holeczi,
Avalanche Canada
The great early season conditions continue, and its a good time to poke into bigger terrain at upper elevations. Continue to be curious about where the surface hoar exists below treeline, and if there is a slab on top you can trigger. SH
Summary
Weather Forecast
A ridge of high pressure will persist through to Friday. Friday afternoon into Saturday another system will dump 10-15 cm at upper elevations with moderate winds.
Snowpack Summary
In sheltered terrain between 1500m and 1850m, a 40-50cm soft slab sits over the large December 3rd surface hoar. This layer continues to produce whumphs and easy shears where it is present. No other significant shears have been observed. There is approximately 130-140cm at treeline.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed in past few days.
Confidence
Problems
Persistent Slabs
A 40-50cm soft slab sits over the Dec 3 surface hoar in many sheltered location between 1500 m and 1850m. Continue to treat all steep (35+ degree) open slopes below tree line with suspicion until you can rule out this weak layer.
- Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 17th, 2015 4:00PM
