Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 11th, 2017–Dec 12th, 2017

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Lizard-Flathead.

Triggering wind slabs remain a possibility. Seek sheltered terrain and shady aspects for decent riding conditions.

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

Fairly benign weather pattern for the forecast period.Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. Alpine temperatures near -4 and freezing levels at valley bottom. Ridgetop winds light from the west. Wednesday: Cloudy with possible sunny breaks. Alpine temperatures near -5 with light west winds. Thursday: Mainly cloudy. Alpine temperatures near -7 with ridgetop winds light west.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, avalanche control using explosives produced avalanches up to size 1. On Monday, loose wet avalanche activity was observed from steep S-SW slopes up to size 1.Please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

A variety of snow surfaces exist throughout the region. Stiff wind slabs sit on a wide range of aspects on alpine and exposed treeline slopes. In sheltered treeline and below treeline terrain, I suspect light amounts of low-density snow intermingle with surface hoar and surface facets.Roughly 30-60 cm below the surface you'll likely find a hard crust that was buried near the end of November. This crust is approximately 30 cm thick and extends from 1600 m to mountain top on all aspects. Below this crust, the snowpack is moist to ground. Average snowpack depths at treeline elevations in the region range from 80-120 cm.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Variable winds from last week have formed wind slabs on a wide range of aspects at higher elevations.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Be careful with wind loaded areas, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2