Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 19th, 2016 4:20PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
jlammers,
Avalanche Canada
New and potentially reactive wind slabs have formed. The best and safest riding may be at treeline in areas sheltered from the wind.
Summary
Confidence
Low - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
Tuesday: 8-15cm of new snow / extreme west winds / Freezing level at 1200mWednesday: Mix of sun and cloud with light flurries / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 1100mThursday: Mix of sun and clouds / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 1000m
Avalanche Summary
New snowfall and strong southerly winds are expected to have promoted new wind slab activity in exposed terrain. Forecast new snow and wind on Tuesday will likely spark another round of wind slab activity in higher elevation, wind-exposed terrain.
Snowpack Summary
New snow on Sunday night and strong southerly winds have likely created fresh wind slabs in exposed terrain. The new snow buries a variable surface that developed over the last week of cold, dry, and windy conditions. This interface consists of scoured surfaces and wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, widespread faceting of the upper snowpack, and surface hoar up to 20 mm in sheltered areas. In sheltered areas, there may be another layer of surface hoar in the upper snowpack which was buried around December 10. The mid pack is generally well settled. The thick crust from mid-November is near the bottom of the snowpack and recent tests suggest that the crust is currently well bonded to the surrounding snow. Below treeline, the snowpack is very shallow and early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.
Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and wind on Tuesday will add to the size and reactivity of existing wind slabs. The new snow buries a weak interface which may prolong the reactivity of these slabs.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Avoid slopes where the snow feels stiff or slabby.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 20th, 2016 2:00PM
