Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 4th, 2020 8:00AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Dry and Persistent Slabs.
Andrew Jones,
A temperature inversion will be warming the alpine today. Avalanche hazard will be highest on (or below) steep solar aspects.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A ridge of high pressure brings periods of sun today. An established temperature inversion will keep things cold below treeline with an alpine high of + 3.0 C. Ridge winds SW 15-25km/h. Temperatures (and avalanche hazard) will spike on Saturday with freezing levels climbing to 3400m. Seasonal weather returns on Monday with a cold winter storm.
Snowpack Summary
An overnight refreeze has left a crust on steep solar aspects in the alpine, which will break down by mid-day. Dry power sits on shaded aspects, though recent SW winds have created pockets of soft slab. Around TL there is a buried layer of surface hoar down 40cm. The Nov 5th crust is prominent, widespread, and sits under more than 1m of snow.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed.
Confidence
Problems
Loose Dry
Warm temperatures and sun may continue to produce loose activity. This will be most likely on steep S-SW aspects with rocky terrain features although the temperature inversion is heating up non-solar aspects as well
- While traveling at lower elevations, pay attention to overhead avalanche paths this afternoon!
- If triggered, loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Warm temperatures yesterday did not produce natural activity on this layer but it is still within the triggerable range for a skier or rider in shallow areas.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 5th, 2020 8:00AM
