Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 22nd, 2015 7:50AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

Variable storm slab/ wind slab conditions: make observations continually as you travel.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

An unsettled NW flow brings light snow and cold temperatures. Tonight: trace; Wednesday: 2-5 cm; Thursday: 2-5 cm; Friday: trace. Winds are generally light. The freezing level stays at the surface. For more details check out http://www.avalanche.ca/weather.

Avalanche Summary

A few naturally triggered size 1-2.5 storm slabs have been observed over the last two days. Numerous loose dry avalanches were also reported.

Snowpack Summary

The series of recent storms has left us with around 50-80 cm new snow. Strong to extreme SW winds in specific areas in the south of the region on Sunday created wind slabs at all elevations. These may now be buried by subsequent snowfall, making them hard to spot. Cornices exist on many ridge crests. Recent storm snow overlies a hard rain crust. This strong, thick crust seems to be effectively isolating the lower snowpack.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Recent snow has formed touchy soft slabs and is also sluffing easily in steep terrain. This new snow may be hiding hard wind slabs on slopes lee to the SW.

Avoid recently wind loaded features and use ridges/ribs to sneak around these problem areas.>Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Dec 23rd, 2015 2:00PM