Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 26th, 2021 3:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada matt, Avalanche Canada

Cold weather presents its own set of problems while enjoying winter. If you do head out, simplify the objectives, bring extra food/clothing, and the biggest Thermos you can carry. Good Luck out there!!

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Well, its cold. And if the wind is factored in, it's really cold. If the forecast is to be believed, tomorrow will see a "high" of -22. Not terrible, but that still deserves some respect. As for new snow, there won't be any. Winds will be light out of the south.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new was seen today. Like most people, we didn't get out for a field day, but we did patrol the area from the comfort of our warm trucks.  

Snowpack Summary

As the cold moved in there was about 10cm of new snow and further development of localized windslabs. But generally speaking everything ground to a halt as the cold air settled in. The windslabs have tightened up with the initial cold. Expect them to be slightly more reactive due to the increased "stiffness". Now we are in a holding pattern while we wait to see how pronounced the faceting becomes. Our snowpack will survive a short cold snap, but if it lasts expect the buried crust to quickly break down. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Windslabs are being found in alpine terrain and in specific features at treeline such as gullies. They are begginning to settle but still reactive in steeper terrain. 

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Dec 27th, 2021 3:00PM