Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 5th, 2016 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeAn arctic high pressure is setting in over the forecast region. Conditions are on an improving trend. If you can bear the temperatures the skiing is currently excellent.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Clear skies, light wind and very cold temperatures are forecasted for the next three days.
Snowpack Summary
30 cm of light, dry storm snow has fallen over the past 48-hours. Some thin and small windslabs were observed at ridge top today. Deeper in the snowpack, the Nov crust appears to faceting, with easy to moderate test results observed.
Avalanche Summary
Explosive control at Lake Louise ski area produced results up to size 2 this morning. Predominantly these slides were storm snow instabilities and very soft slabs up to 15-30cm deep.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Surprisingly very little wind slab formation in the Lake Louise back country today. Areas to watch for are the immediate lee near ridge top.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.
- Keep an eye out for reverse loading created by an upslope storm.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
30 cm of light, dry snow will be sluffing and creating much unpleasant spindrift for ice climbers. This problem will become less of a concern as the storm snow settles and the cold temperatures set in.
- Be very cautious with gully features.
- Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 6th, 2016 4:00PM