Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 10th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
ahanna,
Avalanche Canada
Fresh storm slabs are forming over a shallowly buried weak layer. This means they are easily triggered and may be larger than expected. Stick to simple terrain free of overhead hazard.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Friday night: 5-10 cm of new snow. Strong southwest wind. Freezing level climbing to 800 m.
Saturday: 5-15 cm of new snow. Strong southwest wind. Treeline temperatures around -1 C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Sunday: 10-25 cm of new snow. Moderate southwest wind. Treeline temperatures around -6 C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Monday: 10-20 cm of new snow. Light southeast wind. Treeline temperatures around -4 C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Avalanche Summary
Recent avalanche activity has been limited to small sluffs or soft slabs running above the shallowly buried crust.
Avalanche activity is expected to be larger and more widespread during the storm on Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
10-25 cm of new snow falls amid strong wind. This new snow falls on top of ~20 cm of settling snow from the past week, sandwiched by crusts above and below. The lower crust is the most prominent and widespread, formed during last week's atmospheric river. There is also a thin breakable crust closer to the surface. We are uncertain about how reactive the recent snow will be as it settles over the upcoming days. Snow depths are roughly 60-120 cm at treeline and the majority of the lower snowpack consists of thick crust layers.
Terrain and Travel
- Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
- Good day to make conservative terrain choices.
- Stick to well supported, lower angle terrain.
Problems
Storm Slabs
New snow and wind are forming fresh, reactive slabs. Be aware of the potential for deeper than expected storm slabs due to the presence of a buried crust in the upper snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 11th, 2021 4:00PM
