Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 15th, 2015 8:34AM

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

esharp, Avalanche Canada

South Columbia.

Great riding conditions can be found but large human triggered avalanches remain possible, especially just below tree-line.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Fairly benign weather is expected through the forecast period. WEDNESDAY: Flurries overnight, light northwest winds, -5 at 1500m. THURSDAY: Flurries, light to moderate south winds, -10 at 1500m, FRIDAY: 2-5cm, light west winds, -10 at 1500m.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity appears to have tapered off since the weekend. Avalanche professionals in the field are reporting sluffing in steep terrain in response to skier traffic (aka good skiing). No new avalanches have been reported on the layer of buried surface hoar since last week, although this may be because people have been avoiding locations where it is likely to be found.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10 cm of new snow fell on Monday. There is apparently very little wind effect in the alpine. About 15 to 40cm of snow now sits above a crust that extends up to 1800m. The early December persistent weak layer can now be found down 40-120cm. This layer can be found old sun crust on solar aspects in the alpine, or as large grained surface hoar and small facets in isolated pockets bellow tree-line especially between 1400m and 1800m. Snow pit tests on this interface have been widely variable; producing “sudden planar”, “resistant planar” and “sudden collapse” results. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be well settled.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Small pockets of wind slab can be found in ridge loaded lee features.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features and use ridges or ribs to sneak around these problem areas.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

A layer of buried surface hoar can be found below tree-line between 1400m and 1800m. Test profiles indicate that this interface may still be sensitive to human triggering.

Avoid open slopes, convex rolls, burns, cutblocks and terrain traps when traveling below tree-line. This is where buried surface hoar is best preserved and most volatile.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Dec 16th, 2015 2:00PM