Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 10th, 2012 8:42AM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeSummary
Confidence
Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain
Weather Forecast
25-35 cm of snow is expected to fall on the Caribous until Tuesday accompanied by strong winds from the West. Later Tuesday and Wednesday, a ridge after the system should bring lighter winds and slightly cooler temperatures (-10 C). A weaker system is forecasted for Thursday leaving some light precipitation on the region and stronger winds.Â
Avalanche Summary
A small natural slab avalanche has been reported on a West facing slope at 2200 m around Valemont yesterday. There are limited recent observations from this region.
Snowpack Summary
Strong winds from the South East and South West has created winds slabs on lee slopes yesterday. These winds slabs will continue to build with the forecasted moderate precipitation and strong winds from the West tonight and tomorrow. I suspect that they will be easy to trigger these windslabs with light loads in the alpine and at treeline. Sluffing (dry loose avalanches) is also a concern on steep slopes in wind sheltered areas. Average snow depths at treeline is between 160 and 220 cm. Elevations below 1500 m are still reported as below threshold. The deep persistent instabilities (surface hoar and early November crust) located in the middle and near the bottom of the snowpack are still a concern not so much because of their sensitivity but more because of the large size avalanches they would produce if they would be triggered. In general, snowpack information is sparse in this region and significant variations likely exist from one drainage to another. Digging down and making your own observations will be critical to safe slope selection. Any observations from the field are welcome at forecaster@avalanche.ca.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 11th, 2012 2:00PM