Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 27th, 2017 8:00AM

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

Parks Canada percy woods, Parks Canada

It is cold and the days are short. Start early and plan a turn around time that gets you back to the trail head well before dark.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Today, light precipitation, an alpine high of -17C with W'ly winds in the light to moderate range. For Thursday through Friday we may receive 10cm of snow with light winds and warming temperatures.

Snowpack Summary

40-50cm of snow is settling into a persistent slab which sits on the Dec 15 surface hoar. Expect the slab to be more reactive as you transition into steep and/or wind effected terrain. Solar aspects have a thin crust layer below the slab. Light snow overnight will have buried a thin layer of surface hoar needles, the Dec 27 layer.

Avalanche Summary

One size 1.5 ski cut surface slab off the west face of Cheops. This slide was observed yesterday but suspect it happened in the Dec 24-25 time period.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
30-50cm of snow is settling into a persistent slab which sits on the Dec 15 surface hoar. Expect the slab to be more reactive as you transition into steep and/or wind effected terrain. Solar aspects have a thin crust layer below the slab.
Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.Be aware of the potential for larger avalanches due to a buried surface hoar layer

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Variable winds formed pockets of wind slab in the alpine and exposed areas at tree line on all aspects. These slabs may have surface hoar or crust underneath, leading them to be sensitive to human triggering.
Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 28th, 2017 8:00AM