Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Dec 29 – 30, 2012Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Moderate SW winds  have created wind slabs on exposed slopes and lee of terrain features (spines, gullies and below ridgelines). Areas hosting a thinner snowpack or rocky outcrops may be susceptible larger step down avalanches.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

The region will be dominated by a ridge of high pressure that is positioning itself over the BC coast before making its way into the Interior regions. Light north/northwesterly winds, cooler temperatures, dry and fairly clear conditions will prevail.Sunday/Monday: Alpine temperatures near -7 with ridgetop winds light from the NW. Freezing levels will remain in the valley bottom through the forecast period.Tuesday: Alpine temperatures near -11 with ridgetop winds light from the West

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche observations reported on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow is settling out with no significant layers in the upper snowpack. Moderate winds from the southwest have built wind slabs that may be sensitive to rider triggers in specific areas on lee slopes and behind terrain features (spines, gullies, ridgelines). Two crusts have been identified in the snowpack: one close to the ground that formed in early November down 140-200 cm and one around 70-140 cm below the surface, which formed in early December. Recent snowpack tests done in the Flathead and Crowsnest South on the crusts have shown moderate-hard, and no results, with manly no non planar break fracture characteristics. Its important to dig down and test the reactiveness of these layers in your local riding areas. This layer may be difficult to trigger, however typical trigger points are thin-thick snowpack areas, cross loaded gullies or around rocky outcrops. If triggered a large destructive avalanche may occur. The mid pack is generally well settled throughout the region.

Regions covered