Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 9th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Jeff Andrews,
MIN reports speak of good to excellent riding quality in sheltered areas! Be mindful of newly formed wind slabs and our deep persistent slab problem when making terrain choices.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Friday: Scattered flurries. Accumulation: 4 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -16 C, High -14 C. Ridge wind SW: 25 to 40 km/h
Saturday: Snow. Accumulation: 25 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -13 C, High -8 C. Ridge wind SW: 20 km/h gust to 55
Sunday: Flurries: Accumulation: 6 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -21 C, High -13 C. Ridge wind SW 15 km/h gust to 45
Snowpack Summary
Incremental amounts of new snow being redistributed by moderate SW winds; exposed alpine features continue to be scoured. In sheltered areas 20-30cm settled snow sits atop a supportive midpack. Soft slab forming in open areas. Our basal crust/facet/depth hoar combo near the ground remains a layer of concern. Snowpack depth 100-140cm Icefields area.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported. Human triggering of large avalanches remains possible especially in features with variable thin to thick snow depths in the alpine and at treeline.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Problems
Wind Slabs
Variable amount of new snow and moderate SW winds creating new windslab in lee and crossloaded features. Watch for hollow sounds and cracking. Consider testing smaller slopes before committing to larger features; windslabs could initiate deep layers.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
- Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Triggering this layer would be a high consequence event - cautious decisions and thorough investigation is necessary. More likely to trigger this layer in transitions from thin snowpack to deeper loaded pockets or terrain features.
- Avoid thin rocky or unsupported terrain features.
- Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 10th, 2021 4:00PM
