Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 19th, 2015 8:00AM

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

Parks Canada andrew jones, Parks Canada

Watch for loading in lee features as moderate SW winds and light snowfall continues.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snow flurries throughout the day with moderate south westerly winds and freezing levels remaining below 700m. An approaching low pressure system will bring light snow to the area on Sunday with up to 15cm of accumulation.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20cm of new snow with SW winds is loading lee features. 80-100cm of settled snow covers the Dec 2 interface, which is surface hoar below tree-line and a sun crust on steep, solar features at treeline and alpine. In exposed areas, the depth is variable due to wind-scouring. Below 1600m, 40cm sits over a supportive crust.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche observations yesterday. Received reports of skiers remote triggering small soft slab avalanches in the Connaught Creek drainage within the top 20cm of new snow.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Watch for a developing wind slab in exposed areas as moderate south westerly winds transport recently fallen snow. Significant loading from wind transport can be expected in lee areas and may be easily triggered by riders.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
80cm of snow sits on top of the Dec 2 persistent weak layer, which is surface hoar at and below treeline and sun crust on solar aspects. Although this layer is becoming less reactive, it may awaken with ongoing incremental snow loading.
Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 20th, 2015 8:00AM