Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 10th, 2016 3:42PM

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

Avalanche Canada triley, Avalanche Canada

Forecast new snow and wind may continue to develop pockets of wind slab in the alpine and at treeline.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Wind speed and direction is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Expect 3-5 cm of new snow overnight combined with moderate southwest winds and alpine temperatures around -15. Another 3-5 cm on Sunday with moderate westerly winds. Clear and cold on Monday with moderate northwest winds and alpine temperatures around -20. Clear and cold on Tuesday with light winds.

Avalanche Summary

Some loose dry avalanches size 1.0 were reported from both the Monashees and the Selkirks at treeline and in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

The recent storm snow is settling slowly due to the cold temperatures. Variable wind effect has created wind slabs in the alpine in some areas, and others report little or no wind resulting in loose unconsolidated snow. The depth of the mid-november crust is also variable across the region. Reports have the crust down between 100-200 cm and snowpack tests have produced a wide array of results from moderate sudden planar to hard resistant planar, and in some cases no result. Watch for near surface facets developing in the upper snowpack that may develop a poor bonding layer before the next storm. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and/or below that may provide a weak layer above a smooth sliding surface in the future.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Changing wind directions and a few more cm of new snow may develop new wind slabs on various aspects at higher elevations. Wind slabs are expected to continue to be reactive to light additional loads in isolated terrain features.
Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 11th, 2016 2:00PM