Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 13th, 2017 3:17PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low.

jmcbride, Avalanche Canada

Cooler temperatures and snow are expected for the weekend. Until then be aware of changing snow conditions during the day and from one aspect to another. There may be areas of wet snow particularly on steep, sunny slopes and near rocks.

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridge wind light from the west. Temperature +5. Freezing level 3500 m.FRIDAY: Cloudy, flurries. Accumulation 5 cm. Ridge wind light from the west. Temperature -1. Freezing level 800 m.SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy, light flurries. Accumulation up to 5 cm. Ridge wind light from the west. Temperature -2. Freezing level 800 m.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no reports of avalanche activity since the weekend when a small, natural, wind slab avalanche was observed on a north-facing, alpine, ridge-top feature on Saturday.Â Prior to that, several natural loose, wet and wet slab avalanches up to size 2 were observed on solar aspects at treeline and above.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures have created a spring-like, melt-freeze crust on all aspects which will likely to become moist in the afternoon on steep, sun-exposed slopes. On north aspects this surface crust is 1-2 cm thick, with dry, sugary snow crystals (facets) below. Beneath the surface, the upper snowpack is well settled and overlies a thin layer of facets on the late-November rain crust. Recent snowpack test have found hard, sudden compression test results on the facets just above the crust, which is now buried between 60-100 cm at treeline elevations. Beneath this crust the lower snowpack is well settled and consists of several crusts that formed in the early season.

Valid until: Dec 14th, 2017 2:00PM