Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 26th, 2021 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada TRettie, Avalanche Canada

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Make conservative decisions and leave plenty of time to get home safely. Extreme cold temperatures will make any accident more consequential.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Sunday night: light east winds with no new snow expected. Low of -35 at 1600m.

Monday: some light flurries in the morning with light to moderate northwest winds at treeline. High of -24 at 1600m.

Tuesday: moderate to strong south winds with the possibility of some light flurries in the morning. high of -26 at 1600m.

Wednesday: light snow throughout the day with moderate west winds at treeline. high of -25 at 1600m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported over the last few days in the region.

One size 2 skier accidental was reported on Wednesday. This avalanche was a wind slab on a north aspect in the alpine with a slab thickness of 40cm. 

Snowpack Summary

Easterly winds have scoured east facing slopes and formed new wind slab on west aspects. Cross loading could exist on all other aspects.

The December 15 surface hoar layer is 10 to 20cm below the surface in sheltered treeline and below . It is likely not a problem yet

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Snowpack depth at treeline typically ranges from 120-220 cm, with higher values in the western part of the region and tapering to the east. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Easterly winds have likely formed wind slab on west aspects and cross loaded some features on north and south. Sensitivity to triggering will be greatest near ridge crests.

Aspects: North, South, South West, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Dec 27th, 2021 4:00PM

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