Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 3rd, 2013 8:07AM

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

Parks Canada ali haeri, Parks Canada

Yesterdays storm has passed leaving us with buried weak layers, moderate to strong winds and cold temperatures. 

Summary

Weather Forecast

A high pressure ridge and a northerly flow is going to bring cold temperatures and clear skies to the interior for the next few days. No precipitation is expected in the coming days.

Snowpack Summary

30-40 cm of storm snow is over the November 28 surface hoar/crust interface. The November 28 surface hoar layer is down 60-110cm.

Avalanche Summary

A natural avalanche cycle occurred yesterday morning. One size 3.5 occurred from Mt Macdonald on the north aspect. The avalanche triggered a deep slab on the fan.Numerourous size 2 to 2.5 avalanches throughout the highway corridor

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
The winds have picked up from the passage of yesterdays storm from the east and the north. Expect south and west aspects to be wind loaded which is not typical of what we normally see in this area.
Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Our latest surface hoar/crust layer is down under 30 to 40cm of storm snow. Consequences of triggering will increase as the slab strengthens over time.
Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
A surface hoar layer down 60-110cm is in the range of rider triggering or can be triggered by the weight of smaller avalanches . Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering this layer is more likely.
Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Dec 4th, 2013 8:00AM