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Avalanche Forecast

Dec 10th, 2015–Dec 11th, 2015
Alpine
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold
Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold
Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold
Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Regions: South Rockies.

The slopes with the best riding conditions are also the most dangerous - steep alpine slopes

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud with a chance of light snow flurries. Freeing level near valley bottoms and light southwesterly winds. Saturday: Increasing cloud and wind with flurries in the afternoon and freezing level remaining in valley bottoms. Sunday: 5-15cm of fresh snow possible by sunday morning, with another 2-5 throughout the day. Freezing level near valley bottom with moderate to strong southwesterly ridgetop winds.

Avalanche Summary

Reports from Wednesday are limited but include evidence of a large natural avalanche cycle at alpine and treeline elevations with fresh debris visible in many paths and roaring avalanche heard throughout the day.

Snowpack Summary

Continued snowfall brings total treeline snowpack depths to over a metre, with even more in the alpine, but it diminishes quickly below treeline. Recent storm and wind slabs, probably 40-70 cm thick, are bonding poorly to the old snow surface buried early December, which is probably a crust and/or a combination of facets and buried surface hoar. Below that a thick layer of facets is probably bonding poorly to the thick mid-November crust. We're receiving very little information from the region, so please consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Fresh snow will likely be sensitive to human triggers throughout the forecast period. Slabs will be particularly deep and weak on the downwind side of ridge crests and other similar terrain breaks.
Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 5