Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 5th, 2011 9:10AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

ccampbell, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to limited field observationsfor the entire period

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Winds are expected to veer to northwesterlies and ease to moderate in the wake of Monday's frontal system. The temperature inversion is also expected to dissipate with freezing levels returning to valley bottoms. Wednesday and Thursday: The ridge of high pressure is expected to rebuild with a dry outflow pattern.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been reported. Isolated wind slabs may be susceptible to human triggering.

Snowpack Summary

Expect to find scoured areas, sastrugi, and hard or stiff wind slabs in exposed terrain. Warm temperatures and sun-exposure is melting the surface snow, and subsequent freezing will likely form a hard crust, especially on southerly aspects. Surface hoar is probably growing on sheltered shady slopes. The mid and lower snowpack are generally quite strong.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Expect to find isolated pockets of hard wind slabs below ridgecrests, behind terrain features, and in cross-loaded gullies.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Dec 6th, 2011 8:00AM