Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 15th, 2017 3:36PM

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

Avalanche Canada jmcbride, Avalanche Canada

A dusting of new snow has covered the most-recent surface crust. With more snow expected over the weekend, watch for how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY: Cloudy, flurries. Accumulation up to 5 cm. Ridge wind light from the west. Temperature -4. Freezing level 800 m.SUNDAY: Snow. Accumulation 10-15 cm. Ridge wind moderate from the southwest. Freezing level 1000 m.MONDAY: Cloudy, flurries. Accumulation up to 5 cm. Ridge wind light from the west. Freezing level 700 m.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no reports of avalanche activity since last weekend when a small, natural, wind slab avalanche was observed in the alpine on a wind-loaded, north-facing, ridge top feature on Saturday in the Metal Dome area.

Snowpack Summary

A light dusting of new snow now covers the melt-freeze crust that formed at all aspects and elevations. On north aspects this surface crust is thin with dry, sugary snow crystals (facets) below. Beneath the surface, the upper snowpack is well settled and overlies a thin layer of facets on the late-November rain crust. Recent snowpack tests from earlier this week have found hard, sudden compression test results on the facets just above the crust, which is now buried between approximately 60 cm at treeline elevations. Beneath this crust the lower snowpack is well settled and consists of several crusts that formed in the early season.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
The new storm snow may be easily triggered especially in areas where there has been additional loading from wind.
Be careful with wind loaded pockets in lee areas, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 16th, 2017 2:00PM

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