Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 1–3
Deep and dense wind slabs exist below ridge crests, behind terrain features and in cross-loaded gullies. New wind slabs will also form with forecast weather.
Avalanche forecast
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Jan 1 – 2, 2012Avalanche Canada
Archived · expired 15 years ago
Avalanche danger
Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Avalanche problems
Storm Slabs
NNEESESSWWNW- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–5
Weaknesses within and at the base of the storm snow may be triggered naturally by the weight of a person/sled. Storm slabs could fail on deep persistent weaknesses and at lower elevations than expected.
Weather Forecast
Monday: 10-12cm of snow arriving late in the day / strong southwest winds / freezing level at 1400mTuesday: moderate to heavy snowfall throughout the day / strong southwest winds / freezing level at 1400mWednesday: moderate snowfall / strong south winds / freezing level at 1400m
Confidence
Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertainfor the entire period
Avalanche Summary
In the past 24 hours explosives testing in the region produced numerous slab avalanches up to size 2.5 (one of which stepped down to the october crust on a steep, unsupported feature in the alpine. There was also a size 2.5 skier remote (triggered from a distance) avalanche near Pemberton at the 1600m elevation. This avalanche was about 125cm deep and is thought to have ran on the rain crust mentioned in the Snowpack Observations column.
Snowpack Summary
The total snowfall in the past week has amounted to 100-180cm.Weaknesses exist within, and at the base of the storm snow. New and old wind slabs have formed in exposed NW-E facing slopes, 1m deep in some areas. Cornices have grown large and could act as a trigger for large avalanches. Although the break in the weather this weekend has given the upper snowpack some time to stabilize, the avalanche problem in the upper snowpack is still very real and will continue to be with the forecast wind and snow.In the mid snowpack a weak rain crust is found below the new snow up to treeline elevations. This crust, which has recently produced large avalanches, may sit on top of buried surface hoar and/or facets.A strong lower pack contains facets and and an associated crust that have also gained considerable strength.On average the snowpack is around 200cm deep near treeline.