Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 19th, 2019 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada mconlan, Avalanche Canada

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Substantial snowfall is forecast Thursday night, which may trigger a natural avalanche cycle. Best to avoid all avalanche terrain on Friday until this snow stabilizes.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with heavy snowfall, accumulation 40 to 50 cm, strong southwest wind, treeline temperature 0 C, freezing level 1000 m rising to 1500 m.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, moderate southwest wind, treeline temperature -1 C, freezing level 1200 m.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 20 cm, light to moderate southwest wind, treeline temperature -2 C, freezing level 1000 m.

SUNDAY: Cloudy with snowfall and afternoon clearing, accumulation 10 to cm, light southeast wind, treeline temperature -1 C, freezing level 1200 m.

Avalanche Summary

A natural avalanche cycle is likely to occur on Thursday night. Natural and human-triggered avalanches are likely to occur on Friday and into the weekend until all this new snow bonds to underlying layers.

Snowpack Summary

Upwards of 50 cm of more new snow is expected to fall Thursday night, adding to the 40 to 50 cm that fell on Wednesday night. A natural avalanche cycle is likely underway.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Another 50 cm of snow is expected Thursday night, with the freezing level starting around 1000 m and rising through the night. A natural avalanche cycle is likely to occur Thursday night and may continue into Friday. Human-triggered avalanches are very likely to occur on Friday.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Dec 20th, 2019 5:00PM