Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 2nd, 2014 8:35AM

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

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

There are almost no observations from this region. We'd love to know what you're seeing out there, kindly send your obs to: forecaster@avalanche.ca

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: Fairly static weather pattern for another few days. It looks like the dry and cold northwest flow will be replaced by moist and warm southwest flow on Saturday. Wednesday: Freezing Level: Valley Bottom; Precipitation: Nil; Wind: Treeline: Light, SW | Ridgetop: Moderate WThursday: Freezing Level: Valley Bottom; Precipitation: Trace; Wind: Treeline: Moderate, W | Ridgetop: Moderate, WFriday: Freezing Level: Valley Bottom; Precipitation: Trace; Wind: Treeline: Moderate increasing to strong SW | Ridgetop: Strong, W

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity to report.

Snowpack Summary

As we begin our forecasting season, we are working with almost no field data. If you have been out in the mountains, we'd love to hear from you. 40 - 60 cm of recent storm snow has liklley been redistributed by wind into slabs that are probably susceptible to human triggering. A weak layer (of facets over a crust) which formed during November's dry spell is now buried a metre or more down. Avalanches failing on this layer have the potential to propagate widely, leading to very large events.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm snow combined with wind has likely resulted in wind slab formation in exposed terrain at and above treeline. I suspect these are still susceptible to human triggering.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

A weak layer of facets buried a meter deep may fail when overloaded by a skier, sledder or even wind transported snow. Avalanches on this layer could be surprisingly large.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 6

Valid until: Dec 3rd, 2014 2:00PM