Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 12th, 2019 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada kdevine, Avalanche Canada

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Fresh storm slabs may be reactive to human triggering, especially in wind loaded areas.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT - Flurries, 5 cm / southwest winds, 20-40 km/h / alpine low temperature near -5

FRIDAY - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries / west winds 20-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -6

SATURDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries / light northwest winds / alpine high temperature near -7

SUNDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / light northwest winds / alpine high temperature near -10

Avalanche Summary

There were a few human and explosives triggered avalanches size 1-2 reported on Thursday. Check out this MIN report of an avalanche in the Big White Backcountry on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of new snow sits on a weak layer of feathery surface hoar in many areas, and on a crust on steep south facing slopes. Recent strong winds have likely formed storm slabs that may be reactive to human triggers. There is a weak layer down approximately 50-60 cm that consists of a crust with sugary faceted snow on top of it. Recent test results indicate that this layer could react to human triggers.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

With up to 15 cm of fresh snow sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar in many areas, be aware of the potential for human triggered storm slab avalanches. These avalanches could potentially step down to another weak layer that is down about 50-60 cm, resulting in larger avalanches than expected.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 13th, 2019 5:00PM