Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 27th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Conrad Janzen,
The snow conditions are good but the cold temperatures continue! Being prepared to stay warm will be key to ensuring your personal safety, as even a minor injury or delay can become very serious in these temperatures.
Summary
Weather Forecast
The Arctic air mass continues to bring cold temperatures to the region. Day time high temps will be near -25 C at valley bottom with the evening lows dropping below -30 C. A slight inversion may be present above treeline. Cloud cover and some light flurries are expected on Tuesday.
Snowpack Summary
10-40 cm of snow over the last week with wind from various directions have developed small wind slabs at treeline and above. There is 50-70 cm over the Dec 2 crust/facet combo which exists below 2200m...this has not been an active problem yet but we are monitoring it closely. Shallow areas (<100 cm) still have weaker basal facets near the ground.
Avalanche Summary
A couple small size 1 natural slabs avalanches in the alpine were observed on Monday, likely triggered by wind loading or small cornice chunks. Local ski areas were able to ski cut small wind slabs in lee areas at treeline and in the alpine, and trigger similar avalanches with explosive work.
Confidence
Due to the number and quality of field observations
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent snow and winds from a variety of directions have created wind slabs at treeline and above. These can be triggered by skiers/boarders in the right spot, so choose your lines of ascent and descent with this in mind.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow. Avoid wind loaded terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 28th, 2021 4:00PM
