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Avalanche Forecast

Dec 22nd, 2016–Dec 23rd, 2016
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Sea To Sky.

Heading into a stable weather pattern for weekend

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

Friday: Mainly cloudy / Light northerly wind / Alpine temperature -9Saturday: Sunny with cloudy periods/ Light northeast wind / Alpine temperature -10Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light west wind / Alpine temperature -10 

Avalanche Summary

Recent reports from Wednesday in the region show explosives triggering wind slabs to size 1.5 in the alpine. There is no other recent significant activity to report. 

Snowpack Summary

The storm snow from earlier this week has been redistributed in the alpine and exposed treeline by strong to extreme winds. This has left a variety of hard surfaces that may include sastrugi, wind crust and hard wind slab. This surface has now been covered by 5-10cm of new snow that fell on Thursday. In sheltered areas treeline and below 30-50cm of snow overlies the previous variable snow surface from last week, which included weak faceted snow or surface hoar. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down 1-2m in the snowpack. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent strong southwest winds have created wind slabs in the lee of terrain features
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2