Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 1st, 2017 3:36PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
shorton,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for wind slabs in unusual places as we head into a clear cold week
Summary
Confidence
High - The weather pattern is stable
Weather Forecast
MONDAY: Sunny, light east winds, alpine temperatures around -20.TUESDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods, light northeast winds, alpine temperatures around -15.WEDNESDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods, light northeast winds, alpine temperatures around -15.
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche observations on Saturday included isolated size 1 loose dry avalanches in steep terrain and one natural release of a size 2 avalanches on a northeast treeline slope. After a windy day on Sunday, expect an increase in wind slab avalanche activity on lee and cross-loaded features.
Snowpack Summary
The region received 50 to 90 cm of new snow between Christmas and New Years. This snow has been redistributed by strong winds that have come from a variety of directions and loaded leeward and cross-loaded features. Sunny skies will promote settlement of the snow on open south-facing slopes. The mid-December facet/surface hoar interface can be found buried 70-120 cm deep, and has been showing signs of gaining strength recently with little to no recent avalanche activity in the region. The lower snowpack is well bonded and features a thick rain crust near the ground.
Problems
Wind Slabs
With recent winds coming from a variety of directions watch for signs of stiff or slabby snow on less commonly loaded slopes. Denser slabs found on south aspect slopes could be made more unstable by the sun.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 2nd, 2017 2:00PM
