Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 27th, 2015 8:42AM

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

Watch for recently formed wind slabs in upper elevation terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations on Sunday

Weather Forecast

A dry ridge of high pressure is forecast to develop for the forecast period. Expect increasingly clear skies, no snowfall and light ridge top winds. Freezing levels should hover around valley bottom for all 3 days.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, size 1 soft wind slabs were ski cut in steep, unsupported terrain. The new avalanches formed in response to new snow and wind over the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Over the weekend the region received 15-20cm of new low-density snow. At higher elevations, generally moderate southeasterly winds have redistributed much of that snow into soft wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. In the upper 70cm of the snowpack you may find a layer of weak surface hoar which was the culprit with a recent avalanche on an east aspect at treeline in the Fitzsimmons Range. Although not much is known about its distribution, this layer may be something to watch as the overlying slab gets deeper and gains cohesion through  settlement, storm loading and wind pressing.The mid and lower snowpack are generally considered to be strong and well-settled.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
New snow and moderate winds over the weekend have formed soft wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. Watch for triggering behind terrain breaks and over steep, unsupported rolls.
Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.>Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 28th, 2015 2:00PM