Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 17th, 2017 8:04AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
ian gale,
Parks Canada
Conditions are changing quickly. With heavy snowfall expected today, storm slabs will become touchy!
Summary
Weather Forecast
Snow is on the way!! Today we can expect 10cm with another 10-15 tonight. Ridgetop wind will be from the SW at 20kph with freezing level up to 800m. Monday we will see the precipitation ease before another weather system brings moderate precip to Rogers Pass Tuesday.
Snowpack Summary
15cm of new snow fell in the last 48 hrs burying the Dec15th interface. This layer is the one to watch develop. It is widespread surface hoar found at all elevations and is LARGE (30-40mm) in sheltered areas at treeline. The new snow also buries crusts on S & W aspects and windslab in the alpine. The Nov crusts, buried down ~70cm are bonding well.
Avalanche Summary
Reports yesterday came in of a skier triggered sz 1 storm slab on the fan of Cheops North 5. It propagated 50m wide and was up to 30 cm deep. Expect to see more avalanches like this but larger as we get more snow or the new settles into a slab on the Dec 15th surface hoar.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday
Problems
Storm Slabs
After a long dry spell, 15cm of new snow has fallen on widespread surface hoar. Another 25 is expected today! As this new snow settles into a cohesive slab, expect to see avalanche hazard spike! Also expect sluff to be heavy and fast!
Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.Use caution in alpine and open treeline lees. Recent snowfall has created storm slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 18th, 2017 8:00AM
