Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Dec 2 – 3, 2011Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 15 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–4
    Very strong W-SW winds have created hard and soft wind slabs in exposed leeward terrain well into treeline.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Give the new snow a chance to settle and gain strength before pushing into more committing terrain.

Confidence

Poor - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

Expect drier conditions this weekend as a ridge of high pressure builds over the province. The freezing level should be around 1000m on Saturday and near valley bottom Sunday. Winds are generally moderate from the W-SW. A warm front will cross the area late Sunday bringing light precipitation through Monday. The freezing level could jump as high as 2500m on Monday.

Avalanche Summary

No new observations. Wind slabs and storm snow instabilities will remain susceptible to human triggering for at least the next couple days.

Snowpack Summary

Very strong W-SW winds have probably wreaked havoc in any exposed terrain. Expect to find scoured areas, sastrugi, and hard or stiff wind slabs. The average snowpack depth at treeline is over 200cm. The mid and lower snowpack are generally quite strong. Watch for clues of instability like whumpfs or shooting cracks, and if observed back off any steeper objectives.

Regions covered