Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 9th, 2018 5:22PM

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

Avalanche Canada shorton, Avalanche Canada

Finally some snow in the forecast! Watch for wind slabs forming near ridge crests, roll-overs, and in steep terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear, strong wind out of the southwest, alpine temperatures drop to -7 C.MONDAY: Increasing cloud with light flurries in the afternoon, strong wind out of the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -5 C.TUESDAY: Storm arrives Monday night bringing 10-20 cm of snow by the end of the day, strong to extreme wind out of the southwest, freezing level climbing to 1000 m.WEDNESDAY: Lingering flurries before another storm arrives Wednesday night, strong wind out of the west, freezing level dropping to 500 m.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported. However, we currently have very limited observations. If you have been out, please submit any observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

New snow will gradually accumulate as a series of storms bring snow to the region this week. The combination of new snow and strong winds out of the south will form thicker wind deposits at higher elevations. The new snow will likely bond poorly to the feathery surface hoar crystals and soft sugary snow that have been sitting on the surface for the past week (see this MIN report).A hard crust has been reported 10-20 cm below the surface, and in some locations there is an early season crust with facets near the bottom of the snowpack.Expect an average snow depth of 60-120 cm in the alpine. This decreases dramatically with elevation where the primary hazards are rocks, stumps, and open creeks.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Expect new wind slabs to develop with the incoming snow and wind.
Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Dec 10th, 2018 2:00PM