Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 5th, 2011 9:09AM

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

Avalanche Canada ccampbell, Avalanche Canada

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to limited field observationsfor the entire period

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Increasing clouds throughout the day, but no precipitation is expected until the evening. The freezing levels should drop to around 1900m as the temperature inversion weakens. Alpine winds are expected to remain light. Wednesday: Light flurries possible in the morning, then clearing throughout the day. Light northerly winds with freezing levels around 1200m. Clear, light wind , and freezing levels around 1900m.

Avalanche Summary

Warm temperatures and sun-exposure has resulted in small wet loose avalanches in steep south aspects.

Snowpack Summary

New surface hoar is growing, surface snow is faceting, and wet surface snow on south facing slopes is freezing into a crust overnight. In wind-exposed areas, expect to find a variable mix of hard wind slab, scoured areas, and sastrugi. The prominent feature in the upper snowpack is a thick rain crust from last weekend, which extends well into treeline elevations. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong. Basal depth hoar probably lurks in thin snowpack areas.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may be lurking below ridge crests, behind terrain features, and in cross-loaded gullies.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 6th, 2011 8:00AM

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