Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 14th, 2017 3:42PM

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

swerner, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Slopes that are sheltered from the wind and sun will likely offer the best riding.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures near -5 and freezing levels 800 m. Ridgetop winds moderate gusting strong from the southwest.Saturday: Cloudy with possible sunny periods. New snow 3-8 cm. Alpine temperatures near -5. Ridgetop winds moderate from the southwest.Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud. Light snow and alpine temperatures near -7. Ridgetop winds strong from west.Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for more detail.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche observations. Please submit your information to the Mountain Information Network. Give info get info.

Snowpack Summary

Snow surfaces are highly variable throughout the region. Solar and temperature crusts have formed on sun-exposed slopes, while stiff, stubborn wind slabs linger in leeward alpine terrain. Feathery surface hoar and surface facets have formed below treeline up to 1500 m. Approximately 30-50 cm of snow sits on two crusts that were buried near the end of November. These crusts are widespread and extend into the alpine. Although snowpack tests have previously shown hard results at these crust interfaces, more recent observations have been limited. Below these crusts, a well settled mid-pack overlies the late October crust near the base of the snowpack. This "crust/facet combo" layer is widespread and has not been reactive to rider and remote triggers since the end of November.Average snowpack depths now total 80-140 cm at treeline elevations and up to 160 cm in the alpine.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New wind slabs may be rider triggered. Watch for triggering in higher elevation, wind-exposed terrain.

Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The late October crust lies near the base of the snowpack with a thin layer of weak, sugary snow above it. This layer should be on a strengthening trend, but a heavy trigger in a thin snowpack area may still be enough to cause it to react.

Be aware of the possibility for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.Be especially cautious in shallow snowpack areas where triggering a deeper layer may be easier.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Dec 15th, 2017 2:00PM