Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 23rd, 2012 4:00PM

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

Parks Canada conrad janzen, Parks Canada

Good skiing and heavy trail breaking today with all the new snow.  Below 1800m continue to watch for early season hazards lurking just below all the new snow.  Happy Holidays!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light amounts of precipitation and light winds from the W moving to the E are forecast over the next few days.  Temperatures remain cool on the East side of the park with the influence of the arctic high, but will moderate slightly.  The West side of the park will see more seasonal temperatures.

Snowpack Summary

At tree line 80cm of snow has fallen in the past 3 days with cool temperatures and light W winds.  This snow is bonding well but is a significant load on any weaknesses in the snowpack.  Buried wind slabs, and several early season crusts (mainly below 2000m) are under all this new snow and should still be considered as potential sliding layers.

Avalanche Summary

Surprisingly little avalanche activity has been observed with all the new snow.  Loose snow avalanches up to size 1.5 have been observed out of very steep terrain at tree line and in the alpine.  A couple of soft slabs up to size 2 have been seen out of steep wind loaded terrain at ridge crests, failing within the recent storm snow.

Confidence

Wind speed and direction is uncertain

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Caution in steep terrain for failures within the recent storm snow.  The storm snow should start to settle out and bond over the next few days.
The new snow will requires several days to settle and stabilize.Ride slopes one at a time and spot for your partners from safe locations.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Caution for new wind loading near ridge crests and for buried windslabs formed just prior to the storm.
Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.The recent snow may now be hiding windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 26th, 2012 4:00PM