Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 17th, 2016–Dec 18th, 2016

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Sea To Sky.

Expect the avalanche danger to rise over the next few days with increasing temperatures, snowfall and strong winds

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

Sunday: Flurries, accumulations 10-15cm / Moderate to strong southwest wind / Alpine temperature -7Monday: Snow, accumulations 20-30cm / Moderate to strong southwest wind / Alpine temperature -7Tuesday: Cloudy with flurries, accumulations 5-10cm / Moderate to strong wind / Alpine temperature of -6

Avalanche Summary

No significant new avalanche activity has been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10cm of new snow overlies the previous variable snow surface from late last week, which includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or small surface hoar. The cold temperatures appear to be preserving the old (now buried) wind slabs from the end of last week and they still may be reactive to human triggering in isolated areas. Recent snowpack tests near Whistler gave hard but sudden results in faceted snow under the old hard wind slab. Moderate southwest winds over the weekend and more recent northerly winds have formed soft wind slabs in immediate leeward features. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down 1-2m in the snowpack. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Fresh soft and old hard winds slabs may be lurking on all aspects due to recent winds from a variety of directions. The recent storm snow may also have settled into a reactive slab on sun-exposed slopes.

On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2