Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 22nd, 2019 4:14PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.
william lawson,
Parks Canada
Avalanche control of Mt Bourgeau Monday December 23. Please avoid activity anywhere on Mt Bourgeau and Eagle slide paths.
Enter terrain very cautiously and avoid exposure to overhead hazard. Avalanche conditions will take some time to improve.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Overcast skies and light flurries are forecasted for Monday with little to no snow accumulation. Temperatures on Monday will reach a high of -5 in the valley before a gradual cooling trend sets in for the remainder of the week. Expect wind values to stay in the light to moderate range.
Snowpack Summary
30-60cm of settled storm snow since Friday has formed storm slabs all elevations and aspects. At upper elevations evidence new wind transport is visible. Below the new snow the snowpack structure is generally weak, consisting of facets and depth hoar and a Nov crust up to 2500m. These weak layers are getting overloaded with all of the new snow.
Avalanche Summary
Good visibility today revealed widespread natural avalanche activity to size 3 on all aspects and elevations from the past 48 hours. A noteworthy observations was the effect of the warm temps and rain at lower elevations causing widespread storm slab releases below tree line. Avalanche control today produce numerus slab releases to size 3.
Confidence
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs continue to be reactive Sunday. Were seeing widespread avalanche activity releasing from this new load. As the storm snow settles over the next few days natural activity will lessen. Human triggering likely persist for much longer.
- If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Storm snow is forming reactive slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The weak, faceted mid and lower pack is overloaded by the new storm snow at all elevations. Avoid exposer to any large overheads hazard.
- Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
In the short term this will be a problem, especially in gully features and off of sidewalls.
- If triggered dry loose point releases can form deeper deposits in terrain traps.
- 874
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 23rd, 2019 4:00PM
