Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 28th, 2018 3:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
dsaly,
Avalanche Canada
Substantial snowfall with strong and wind expected. The new snow will need time to stabilize and bond.
Summary
Confidence
Low - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY NIGHT: Snow, 15-25 cm accumulation. Moderate to strong southwest wind. Freezing level 500 m.SATURDAY: Flurries, 5-20 cm accumulation. Strong west-northwest wind with extreme gusts. Freezing level 500 m.SUNDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Light to moderate west wind. Freezing level 500m.MONDAY: Flurries, 5-10 cm accumulation. Moderate to strong west wind. Freezing level below 500 m.
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday, an old natural avalanche was reported near the Hankin Hut. This avalanche occurred on a steep and rocky north aspect and likely failed last weekend as the crown had been blown in. Last Monday, wind-loaded pockets were reactive to skier traffic, including 2 very small unsupported pockets remotely triggered (from a distance) by skiers. Information from this region is limited. Tell us what you see by posting to the Mountain Information Network! (MIN)
Snowpack Summary
Snow starting early Friday morning deposited 5-15 cm snow around the region by Friday evening.Under the new snow, 20-30 cm of recent snow was redistributed by wind and formed slabs in the alpine and treeline. This adds to the snowfall received through December. In total, 50-100 cm covers a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow) that formed during the dry spell in early December. Information about about how well the December snow is bonding to this layer is limited in this region. Deeper in the snowpack, there are several crusts including an early season crust with facets near the bottom of the snowpack.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Snowfall is expected through Saturday and new snow will need time to stabilize. Moderate to strong wind will redistribute snow, expect deeper and more reactive deposits at higher elevations and in wind-loaded terrain.
The recent snow may now be hiding windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 29th, 2018 2:00PM
