Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 24th, 2021 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada TRettie, Avalanche Canada

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Avoid recently wind loaded features . Moderate winds have been observed at all elevations, the ideal wind speed for transport and wind slab development.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Friday night: Moderate northeast winds in the alpine with moderate outflow winds in the valley bottom. No new snow expected. Low of -21 at 900m.

Saturday: sunny with no new snow expected. Winds will be moderate from the northeast in the alpine with temperatures steady around -20 at 900m.

Sunday: sunny with no new snow expected. Winds will be moderate to strong from the northeast in the alpine. High of -22 at 900m.

Monday: light snow throughout the day with light west winds. high of -19 at 900m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed on Thursday.

On Wednesday one natural wind slab size 2 was observed on a southwest slope at 1300m.

Loose dry avalanches up to size 2 were observed in steep terrain on all aspects on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slab can be found on all aspects. As the temperatures drop the wind slab will start to facet out. Ongoing outflow winds could create wind slab in cross loaded features at lower elevations.

A new surface hoar layer was buried on Tuesday, it is not a problem yet.

The December 18th surface hoar/facet layer is down 30cm, the surface hoar was observed up to 12mm in both the treeline and below . It is likely only a problem in isolated locations in the treeline where wind slab has formed above it.

The December 7 persistent weak layer is now typically down 100cm and has not produced avalanches in over a week.

Snowpack depths vary greatly across the region, expect to find anywhere from 100-300 cm of snow around treeline.

Terrain and Travel

  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind slab can be found on all aspects. Sensitivity to triggering will be greatest where wind slab has formed over the December 18th surface hoar/facet combo in the treeline. Wind slab could have formed in cross loaded features from outflow winds at lower elevations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 25th, 2021 4:00PM