Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 10th, 2017 4:38PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada mgrist, Avalanche Canada

Seek the shade for the best and safest riding.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

We'll see little change in the weather pattern: valley cloud and cool temperatures down low but sunny and warm up high. MONDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods. Light southerly wind. Freezing level near 1200m with an above freezing layer around 3200 m. Alpine high temperatures near +3.TUESDAY: Sunny with increasing cloud in the afternoon. Light to moderate west wind. Freezing level near 1800 m with a colder air layer in the valleys. WEDNESDAY:  Sunny with increasing cloud in the afternoon. Light westerly winds. Freezing level near valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

Some small loose natural avalanches were reported on Saturday in the south of the region with the start of the warming. Overall, we have very limited data. Please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Daytime warming is melting and weakening upper snowpack layers, particularly on steep sunny slopes. Warming also has the potential to wake up more deeply buried weak layers which formed in October and November. The late November crust is down 60-75cm and snowpack tests in the south of the region suggest the snow is bonding reasonably well there.Below treeline, the snowpack is shallow--look out for early season hazards like open creeks and tree stumps.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet
Loose wet avalanches are possible in steep, rocky, sunny terrain. Warming could also wake up more deeply buried weak layers, creating a surprisingly large avalanche.
Choose well supported terrain without convexities.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 11th, 2017 2:00PM

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