Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 10th, 2021 3:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada matt, Avalanche Canada

Snow and winds tomorrow will bump up the hazard at all elevations. Be prepared for rapid changes and watch for increasing hazard if snow amounts are more than expected.

Summary

Confidence

Low -

Weather Forecast

All forecasts say we will get almost 20cm of snow tomorrow. It looks like steady snow all day with 8cm by noon Saturday, and 20 by Sunday morning. Very high winds will precede the storm and remain more or less constant throughout the day tomorrow. Ridgetop winds will be about 50km/hr and from the SW. As for the temperatures, they will creep up during the day with a high of -6.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new was noted today. There was some very isolated cracking within the new windslabs, but nothing moved. 

Snowpack Summary

Light snow and moderate SW winds at treeline and above have created new windslabs. So far they are about 15cm thick seem to be bonding well. As expected, the crust disappears around 2150m and feels like it is breaking down slightly. A quick profile at 2100m had it down 30cm and hints of faceting immediately above the crust. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Fresh wind slabs are forming with the moderate ridge top winds. Watch for crossloading and immediate lee slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

This will likely be triggered from a thin spot within the snowpack. Watch the transitional areas from thin to thick.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Dec 11th, 2021 3:00PM