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Avalanche Forecast

Dec 16th, 2017–Dec 17th, 2017
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Purcells.

5-10cm of forecast new snow and moderate westerly ridgetop winds on Sunday may form small wind slabs below ridgetops.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY: 5-10cm snow / Moderate westerly ridgetop winds / Freezing level valley bottom.MONDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries/ Moderate westerly ridgetop winds / Freezing level valley bottom. TUESDAY: 5-10cm snow / Light southeasterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported within this region on Friday. Please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

The 5-10cm of new snow on Friday fell on a wide variety of surfaces including large surface hoar (weak, feather-like crystals), hard crusts formed by sun or wind, and sugary facets. There is not yet significant new snow load or slab properties to create big problems, however, it will be important to monitor how the new snow is bonding to the smorgasbord of surfaces out there. When we receive significant new snow and it settles into a cohesive slab, you can bet there will be avalanches. I would be most concerned about areas that have surface hoar sitting on top of a hard crust. A major feature in the snowpack is a crust which was formed by rain in late November. It is down approximately 40-60cm at treeline elevations and snowpack tests suggest the snow is currently bonding well to it.Below treeline, the snowpack depth decreases rapidly. Look out for early season hazards such as rocks, stumps, and open creeks.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Forecast new snow on Sunday combined with moderate westerly ridgetop winds may form small wind slabs in isolated locations below ridgetops that are reactive to human triggers.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2