Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 6th, 2019 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada ldreier, Avalanche Canada

The big dump keeps us waiting... 

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: 5-10 cm snow above 1600 m (rain below), 40 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine temperatures around -1 C. 

SATURDAY: Flurries with up to 5 cm of snow above 1600 m (rain below), 30 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -1 C.

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind from the north, alpine high temperatures around -3 C, freezing level at 1200 m.

MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind from the west, alpine high temperatures around +5 C, freezing level at 2700 m.

Avalanche Summary

Recent reports indicate a few small (size 1) slab avalanches triggered by skiers and explosives on Wednesday. They were 20-30 cm thick and ran on a hard crust. 

Snowpack Summary

The last storm brought up to 10-15 cm of new snow at upper elevations in the last few days. Not to far beneath this new snow is a hard crust that formed in late November. Recent snowpack tests have shown the snow above this crust is weak and could provide a bed surface for avalanches to run on. Typical snowpack depths in the alpine currently range between 50 and 150 cm, depending on the amount of wind affect. Snowpack depths taper quickly with elevation as most treeline terrain is still below the threshold for avalanches.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

5-10 cm of new snow is expected Friday night and continuing moderate to strong winds might create some fresh windslabs in the lee of terrain features. Warm temperatures make the snow more sticky and prevent the wind from creating deep wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 7th, 2019 5:00PM

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