Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 25th, 2011 8:29AM

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

mpeter, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Monday: Expect cloudy skies with afternoon sunny breaks, temperatures reaching -3 and moderate westerly winds. Tuesday: Clouds build through the day, with a chance flurries beginning in the evening. Moderate to strong westerly winds and temperatures climbing to near freezing. Wednesday: Unsettled skies with intermittent flurries. Continued westerlies and temperatures at 0.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches. Nearby (in the Lizard Range) there were 2 incidents reported on December 22 and 1 on December 23. For more info, copy and paste these links: http://bit.ly/uBRvLX http://bit.ly/rE20wh http://bit.ly/tcggvH

Snowpack Summary

Westerly winds continue, creating windslabs on lee locations in the alpine and open treeline. A buried layer of surface hoar lies approximately 20 cm below the snow surface. Reports indicate this layer was blown around before it was buried and can only be found in isolated, sheltered locations at and below treeline. A well settled mid pack bridges over the basal weaknesses at the ground.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Predominantly north through southeast but cross-loading is also possible on open slopes oriented parallel to the wind, which contain features and gullies to catch wind-drifted snow.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

More of an issue in the northern part of the region where the snowpack is deeper.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 26th, 2011 8:00AM