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Avalanche Forecast

Dec 5th, 2016–Dec 6th, 2016
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Sea To Sky.

Wind slabs exist at higher elevations, so the best and safest riding is likely in sheltered lower elevation terrain.

Confidence

Moderate - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY: Sunny, light north winds, alpine temperatures at -14.WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light east winds, alpine temperatures at -12.THURSDAY: Scattered flurries with accumulations of 5 cm, moderate south winds, alpine temperatures at -10.

Avalanche Summary

Wind slabs were reactive to explosive triggers on the weekend, resulting in several size 1-1.5 avalanches. The wind slabs were less reactive to skier-triggering, although a skier triggered a cornice fall which released a slab on a north-facing alpine slope. On Sunday, small loose avalanches were observed in steep south-facing terrain when the sun came out. Wind slabs may remain reactive to human-triggering in isolated wind loaded areas.

Snowpack Summary

Surface conditions are highly variable throughout the region. Strong winds over the weekend formed hard and stubborn wind slabs on lee features, and scoured windward features. 10-20 cm of low density snow exists in sheltered areas an offers the best and safest riding. Thin sun crusts can be expected to form on steep south-facing slopes with clear skies. Surface snow will likely begin to facet with cold air temperatures in the upcoming days, possibly creating a weak interface when the next storm arrives. The mid-pack is generally strong, with a widespread mid-November crust buried anywhere from 30-200 cm depending on aspect and elevation. Snowpack tests have shown the crust to be mainly unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong winds over the weekend formed variable surface conditions at high elevations, including hard wind slabs on lee features.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2