Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

this helpful MIN report from the Shames area describes a few natural and skier triggered slab avalanches up to size 2. These were on southwest slopes at treeline. The weak layers from earlier in December, described in the snowpack summary, are the suspected weak layers for these avalanches.

By mid day on the 22nd up to 30 cm of new snow may have fallen. This new snow will be accompanied by strong south winds forming deeper deposits on northerly aspects. This new snow will fall on an already heavily wind affected upper pack.

Two weak layers exist in the top meter of the snowpack from earlier in December. A layer of facets and/or surface hoar down 20 to 40 cm and a crust down 40 to 80 cm.

Treeline snow depth range from 200-280 cm. The lower snowpack has no layers of concern.

Sunday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 30 cm of snow. 30 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 1300 m.

Monday

Cloudy with up to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 10 to 30 cm of snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Don't let storm day fever lure you into consequential terrain.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.