Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 23rd, 2015 9:02AM

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

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

Danger ratings are coming down, but human triggered avalanches remain possible, especially on the steeper more complex lines.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Weather Forecast

We are heading into a short dry spell for Christmas, but the good news is we are not expecting much wind and we should see clearing skies Friday and Saturday. THURSDAY: 0 to 5cm of snow, freezing level at valley bottom, light SW winds. FRIDAY: No snow expected, freezing level at valley bottom, light west winds. SATURDAY: No new snow, freezing level at valley bottom, moderate W/SW winds.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches to report from Tuesday. On Sunday and Monday a few naturally triggered size 1 to 2.5 storm slabs and numerous loose dry avalanches were reported.

Snowpack Summary

The series of recent storms has left us with around 50-80 cm new snow. Strong to extreme SW winds in specific areas in the south of the region on Sunday created wind slabs at all elevations. These may now be buried by subsequent snowfall, making them hard to spot. Cornices exist on many ridge crests. Recent storm snow overlies a hard rain crust. This strong, thick crust seems to be effectively isolating the lower snowpack.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Recent snow has formed touchy soft slabs and is also sluffing easily in steep terrain. This new snow may be hiding hard wind slabs on slopes lee to the SW.

Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>Avoid recently wind loaded features and use ridges/ribs to sneak around these problem areas.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Dec 24th, 2015 2:00PM