Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 19th, 2015–Dec 20th, 2015

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

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

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

Avalanche Problems

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

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