Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Dec 25 – 26, 2015Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Storm slabs have remained sensitive to human triggering longer than expected. Exercise due diligence and carefully investigate the new/old snow interface before committing to your line.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Storm and wind slabs from 15 to 50cm in depth may still be sensitive to human triggering Saturday. The usual problem areas like convexities, steep unsupported terrain features and the more complex lines should probably be avoided at this time.

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

A major storm will impact the Northwest Coast on Saturday, the scraps of that system may bring isolated convective flurries to the South Rockies on Monday. SATURDAY: No significant snowfall expected, freezing level at valley bottom, moderate winds, generally out of the west. SUNDAY: No significant snowfall expected, freezing level at valley bottom, strong winds out of the west. MONDAY: Isolated convective flurries but no significant accumulations expected, freezing level at valley bottom, light variable winds.

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday control work produced numerous small loose snow avalanches within the recent storm snow. On Wednesday we received a report of a skier triggered size 1 wind slab on a north aspect at 1800m. It's thought that this avalanche failed on the December 9th melt freeze crust which was down 40cm at the location of the avalanche.

Snowpack Summary

The series of recent storms has left us with around 50 to 80cm of new snow. Previously strong to extreme SW winds created wind slabs at all elevations. These have now been buried by subsequent snowfall, making them hard to spot. Cornices exist on many ridge crests. Storm snow from the last week overlies a hard rain crust. This strong, thick crust seems to be effectively isolating the lower snowpack.

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