Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 26th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.
Mark Herbison,
Northerly winds have been reverse loading some features, watch for new slab formation along ridge lines and cross loaded features.
Summary
Weather Forecast
The Arctic ridge of high pressure has barged its way into the region like my boisterous Uncle Jack at our family dinners. Temps will be cold on Monday with an Alpine high of -20 with light Westerly winds and a mix of sun and cloud.
Cold temps, clear'ish skies and light winds are settling in for the week, Brrrr. Slight warming trend by the weekend.
Snowpack Summary
50cm of snow recent snow is settling out on top of previously faceted surfaces. Pockets of slab exist in loaded areas. The Dec 1 crust is buried approximately 70cm-120cm, with facetting of the snow directly above and below (facetting in most prominent in shallower snowpack areas). Beneath the Dec 1 crust, the snowpack is dense and strong.
Avalanche Summary
One size 3.0 avalanche out of the MacDonald Gullies and several other size 1.5 avalanches through the highway corridor within the last 24 hours.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
50cm of recent snow, combined with moderate variable ridge top winds have formed slabs in some locations. Recent valley bottom winds may have also built pockets of slab in open areas within the trees.
- Variable winds have created pockets of wind slab on all aspects.
- Use safe ski cutting techniques to enter your line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Low density surface snow has the potential to run far and fast in steep, confined features. Choose your terrain wisely and manage your sluff appropriately.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep, confined terrain.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 27th, 2021 4:00PM
