Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 23rd, 2018 4:08PM

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

kdevine, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Recent fresh snow has likely been redistributed by strong winds, especially at upper elevations. Wind slabs may be reactive to human triggering, especially in lee terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries / southwest winds, 30-50 km/h / alpine low temperature near -7Â°c. MONDAY - Cloudy with flurries, up to 5 cm / southwest winds, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near -6Â°c. TUESDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries / light west to northwest winds / alpine high temperature near -7Â°c, low temperature near -9Â°c. WEDNESDAY - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, 2-4 cm / light south to southeast winds / alpine high temperature near -6Â°c, low temperature near -8Â°c.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no recent reports of avalanches, however information from this region is limited. Tell us what you see by posting to the Mountain Information Network! (MIN)

Snowpack Summary

50-90 cm of snow has fallen over the past week. Strong winds have likely formed wind slabs throughout the region. Deeper and more sensitive wind deposits are likely to be found at higher elevations. The storm snow sits on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow) that formed during the dry spell in early December. Information is limited in this region about how well the new snow is bonding to this layer. Deeper in the snowpack, there are several crusts including an early season crust with facets near the bottom of the snowpack.

Problems

Wind Slabs

50-90 cm of recent new snow has likely been redistributed by strong winds in the region. Wind loaded slopes at higher elevations are the most suspect for human triggering.

Approach steep lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.Field observations have been limited. Supplement this forecast with your own observations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 24th, 2018 2:00PM