Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 21st, 2019 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
MBender,
Avalanche Canada
Recent snow and wind has promoted wind slab development at upper elevations.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
Weather Forecast
Saturday: Cloudy with clear breaks. Alpine temperature -7 C. Light southwest wind.
Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperature -7 C. Light southwest wind.
Monday: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Alpine temperature -6 C. Moderate southwest wind.
Tuesday: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Alpine temperature -5 C. Moderate south wind.
Avalanche Summary
There have been no recent reports of avalanche activity.
Snowpack Summary
15-30 cm of snow fell in the region early last week. Moderate south-southwesterly winds have since developed wind slabs, especially around ridge features and into the alpine.
Reports suggest there are 2 buried layers of surface hoar in the upper snowpack - one down 15-25 cm below the new snow, and another down 25-40. Where wind has scoured the snowpack, a crust from November is at or near the surface. In leeward terrain, a this crust is 40-60 cm deep, and may include surface hoar in sheltered openings up to treeline.
Older crusts can be found deeper in the snowpack and are generally breaking down. In areas with a relatively thin snowpack, the base of the snowpack likely consists of weak faceted grains.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent new snow has been redistributed by wind blowing primarily from the southwest.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 22nd, 2019 5:00PM
