Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 9th, 2019 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Dry and Persistent Slabs.
a.l. horton,
Parks Canada
Ski quality is good but caution is advised as snow coverage over hazards such as rocks and trees may be thin. Avoid steep wind-loaded terrain.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Partly cloudy for Tues and Wed with no precipitation forecasted. Alpine winds will ease to light on Tues and shift westerly. Temperatures will rise to below freezing on Tues then fall back to -9 on Wed. Light flurries are possible on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
Recent storm snow is mostly unconsolidated except where exposed to wind where soft slabs have been formed. The snow depth is variable at all elevations. There is a reactive crust in the mid-pack and a weak basal facet/depth hoar layer at the base of the pack.
Avalanche Summary
Several large avalanches were observed out of steep alpine features and numerous dry loose observed out of steep terrain were observed yesterday (Sunday). No new observations noted in the Columbia Icefields by 2 field teams today.
Confidence
Due to the number and quality of field observations on Tuesday
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are present on lee slopes and cross-loaded features
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Specific to steep terrain. Ice climbers should pay particular attention to this as entrenched loose snow may have the volume to knock climbers off their stance.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Isolated to very specific sheltered locations at treeline.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 10th, 2019 4:00PM
