Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 18th, 2016 5:56PM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Expect avalanche activity to rise with new snowfall accumulating through the day Monday combined with moderate wind and warming temperatures. Danger ratings updated 9:30am Dec19, 2016.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Monday: Cloudy with scattered flurries, accumulations from Sunday night through Monday 10-20cm / Moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -9Tuesday: Flurries, accumulations 5-10cm / Moderate to strong southwest wind / Alpine temperature of -6Wednesday: Cloudy with scattered flurries / Moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -5

Avalanche Summary

Expect avalanche activity to rise with new snowfall accumulating Sunday night through the day Monday combined with moderate wind and warming temperatures.

Snowpack Summary

10-20cm of new snow has buried previously formed winslabs, facets and surface hoar. Moderate to strong winds have loaded leeward features with new touchy wind slabs. A widespread crust that was buried in November is typically down 80-100cm. Recent tests show variable results with this persistent weakness. Some show results as hard and resistant and other show it may have the propensity to propagate large avalanches if triggered from thin rocky areas.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Fresh wind slabs on the downwind side of ridge crests and terrain features have formed.

On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 19th, 2016 2:00PM