Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 28th, 2015 8:19AM

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

Avalanche Canada jlammers, Avalanche Canada

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Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure has set up over the province and will bring mainly clear skies for the forecast period. Ridgetop winds should remain light and northwesterly on Tuesday and Wednesday. Winds will switch to southwesterly on Thursday intensifying throughout the day. Alpine temperatures should sit between -12 and -16 on Tuesday and Wednesday, and then rise slightly on Thursday.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Light amounts (10-15cm) of snow fell over the weekend with slightly higher amounts expected in the far west of the region. Variable winds have likely shifted the new snow into fresh and reactive wind slabs in upper elevation lee terrain. We're still dealing with a thin, early-season snowpack for much of the Northwest Inland region. Between 80 and 100 cm of snow can be found at tree-line in the south and west of the region, with closer to 60 cm in the east. A weak basal layer probably exists in most areas, and I suspect that the ongoing cold temperatures have continued to promote faceting in the snowpack, especially in shallow, rocky areas.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
I'd be suspicious of fresh wind slabs in upper elevation lee terrain. Use extra caution in the lee of ridge crests and in gullies.
Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 29th, 2015 2:00PM