Avalanche forecast

South Columbia

Dec 16, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Isolated small wind slabs may have formed below ridgetops in areas that received 10cm or more of snow on Friday.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–2
    5-10cm of new snow on Friday combined with light to moderate winds from a variety of directions may have formed small wind slabs in isolated locations below ridgetops.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Only a problem in steep terrain that received 10cm or more of new snow.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light northwesterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level valley bottom.SUNDAY: 10-15cm snow / Moderate to strong westerly ridgetop winds / Freezing level valley bottom.MONDAY: Mostly cloudy / Light westerly ridgetop winds / Freezing level valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported within this region on Thursday. Please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

The 5-10cm of new snow on Friday fell on a wide variety of surfaces including large surface hoar (weak, feather-like crystals), hard crusts formed by sun or wind, and sugary facets. There is not yet significant new snow load to create big problems, however, it will be important to monitor how the new snow is bonding to the smorgasbord of surfaces out there. When we receive significant new snow and it settles into a cohesive slab, you can bet there will be avalanches. I would be most concerned about areas that have surface hoar sitting on top of a hard crust. A major feature in the snowpack is a crust which was formed by rain in late November. It is down approximately 40-80cm at treeline elevations and snowpack tests suggest the snow is currently bonding well to it.Below treeline, the snowpack depth decreases rapidly. Look out for early season hazards such as rocks, stumps, and open creeks.

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