Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 20th, 2014 8:22AM
The alpine rating is Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeSummary
Confidence
Poor - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Strong Southwest winds overnight combined with 10-15 cm of new snow and freezing level around 800 metres. Winds becoming moderate Southwest on Sunday as another 5-10 cm of snow is forecast. Winds becoming moderate Westerly on Monday with a few more cms during the day. Drying out and cooling down overnight, followed by another pulse of moisture on Tuesday afternoon.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches reported. The forecast new storm is expected to increase avalanche activity over the next few days.
Snowpack Summary
A new storm slab is developing above the recent mix of surfaces which include wind slabs in alpine terrain, hard rain crusts at lower elevations and weak surface hoar crystals. Last week's heavy rain affected southern parts of the region up to alpine elevations, while the far north remained drier and generally has a weaker snowpack. Areas which previously received rain have probably now formed a hard frozen crust. Upper elevation terrain and far northern areas are likely to have wind slabs and large fragile cornices. Deeper in the snowpack, weaknesses such as the mid-November crust-facet layer still exist. Avalanches at this interface have become unlikely, although the consequences of a release remain high. This layer may be more sensitive to triggering in steep, unsupported high alpine terrain, or in the far north of the region.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 21st, 2014 2:00PM