Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 6th, 2011 9:49AM

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

Avalanche Canada ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

Summary

Confidence

Good - -1

Weather Forecast

Tuesday brought the clouds down to the valley floor as a quick hitting cold front passed over the region. High pressure builds back into the area Wednesday and then the ridge dominates the weather pattern through the end of the work week. Winds will be light out of the NW all day Wednesday. Freezing levels creep up to 900m Wednesday before dropping back to the valley floor overnight. Temps are moderate; I'm expecting daytime highs near -5 on Wednesday at treeline with low's dipping down to -10 in the wake of the cold front.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been reported. If you have any avalanche observations to report, please email us at: forecaster@avalanche.ca.

Snowpack Summary

Some great observations came our way today. While there are a few players in the snowpack, none of them seem to be doing anything at the moment. A rain crust is present just below the snow surface below 1800m. The crust, in combination with cool temperatures, has really settled things out at & below treeline. My main concern is the odd lingering windslab still scratching out a living in the alpine. But, I know that this is less & less of an issue every day. I'm thinking about bringing the Alpine Danger down to Low on Thursday. In order to do that, I need a few more observations/feedback. If you're out & about please drop me a line & let me know what you're seeing: forecaster@avalanche.caThe snowpack sounds pretty well organized at the moment. A bit of soft fist snow can be found in upper elevations with a good tight midpack consisting of more dense snow below. The alpine is holding 150-200cm. Treeline depths are between 50 -150cm. Recent snowpack observations indicate that the late October rain crust is present in the alpine elevations and down approximately 120cm. This crust is said to be up to 5mm in thickness with faceting below it. For the moment the crust seems to be bridging over the facets below, with a well settled 1F - P midpack above.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
These wind slabs are getting old & tired, but you may still find the odd rider trigerable wind slab in lee locations near ridgetop.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 7th, 2011 8:00AM