Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 25th, 2018 3:00PM

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

dsaly, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Recent fresh snow has likely been redistributed by strong winds, especially at upper elevations. Expect wind slabs to be more prevalent in lee and cross-loaded terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm accumulation. Light to moderate southeast wind. Freezing level valley bottom.WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, up to 5 cm accumulation. Light to moderate south wind. Freezing level below 700 m.THURSDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Moderate southwest wind. Freezing level 600 m.FRIDAY: Snow, 10-20 cm. Moderate south-southwest wind gusting to extreme. Freezing level rising above 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, wind-loaded pockets were reactive to skier traffic, including 2 very small unsupported pockets remotely triggered (from a distance) by skiers.Information from this region is limited. Tell us what you see by posting to the Mountain Information Network! (MIN)

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm new snow since Saturday is being redistributed by recent winds and likely formed wind slabs and cornices throughout the region. Deeper and more sensitive wind deposits are likely to be found at higher elevations. The storm snow sits on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow) that formed during the dry spell in early December. This layer is buried 60-100 cm and information is limited in this region about how well the new snow is bonding to this layer. Deeper in the snowpack, there are several crusts including an early season crust with facets near the bottom of the snowpack.

Problems

Wind Slabs

60-90 cm of recent new snow has likely been redistributed by strong winds in the region. Wind loaded slopes at higher elevations are the most suspect for human triggering.

Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.Approach steep lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 26th, 2018 2:00PM