Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 5th, 2021 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada ahanna, Avalanche Canada

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New snow will slide easily on the slippery crust. Watch for reactivity in freshly formed deposits of soft wind slab in lee terrain features near ridge crest.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Sunday night: Flurries starting up to 5 cm. Light to moderate southwest wind. Treeline temperatures around -6.

Monday: New snow 5-15 cm. Light westerly wind. Treeline high temperatures around -5.

Tuesday: New snow around 5 cm. Westerly wind building to strong. Treeline high temperatures around 0.

Wednesday: Overnight snow 15-20 cm. Strong southwest wind. Treeline high temperatures around -3.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

5-20 cm of new low density snow sits over a thick, supportive surface crusts at all elevations.

Treeline snow depths in advance of the storm were around 80-100 cm but rain has eroded some of this. Much of treeline and almost all below treeline elevations are still below threshold depths for avalanches.

Terrain and Travel

  • Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New snow will slide easily on the slippery crust. Thin pockets of soft wind slab may be surprisingly reactive.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Dec 6th, 2021 4:00PM