Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 14th, 2012 9:32AM

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

Avalanche Canada triley, Avalanche Canada

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Saturday: A ridge of High pressure is forecast to remain in the region overnight. The next system should move into the region on Saturday afternoon bringing light snow to all elevations and moderate Southwest winds.Sunday: Continued light snow at all elevations with moderate Southwest winds at higher elevations.Monday: A strong frontal system is forecast to move in from the coast. Expect strong Southerly winds and freezing levels rising up to about 1000 metres.

Avalanche Summary

No new reports of avalanches from the region.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs exist on slopes lee to the west. Below these surface layers, the snowpack is reported to be generally well-settled. Snowpack depth is below threshold for avalanches below about 1400 m (or as high as 1800 m on some slopes). Cornices have grown large in some areas.We are still watching a few layers, but recent snowpack tests have suggested that these are generally fairly well bonded. There is a buried rain crust in the upper snowpack which fizzles out at about 1800 m. A localized layer of surface hoar buried about 1 m down may still exist in sheltered pockets. At the base of the snowpack, a variable early November crust/facet layer exists. Any of these layers could become reactive with heavy loading, or if triggered from a thin snowpack area.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may be found on alpine slopes and behind ridges and ribs at treeline.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.>Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Dec 15th, 2012 2:00PM