Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Dec 21 – 22, 2012Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Wind data in the region has been very sparse. If local wind values have been moderate or higher, wind slabs may exist in gullies and in the lee of terrain breaks.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–5
    A deeply buried facet/crust weakness exists. This layer could be triggered by large loads, such as a cornice collapse or a rider digging deeply with a spinning track in a shallow spot on a steep slope.

Confidence

Poor - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

Saturday: Mostly clear skies / Moderate southeast winds / Temperature inversion with ridgetop temperature of -14.0Sunday: Mostly clear skies with trace amounts of new snow / Moderate southeast winds / Temperature inversion with ridgetop temperature of -14.0Monday: Trace amounts of new snow / Light southeast winds / Ridgetop temperature of -17.0

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Light amounts of new snow overlie older storm and windslabs which have likely settled and gained strength. It is suspected that the recent light accumulations have been redistributed into wind slabs in some areas.Spotty surface hoar was buried in the upper snowpack in sheltered treeline areas although little is known about its reactivity. Of concern is a November facet/crust layer which can be found near the base of the snowpack. This layer, which seems widespread, is possibly gaining some strength. Having said that, it may be triggered from thin-spot trigger points, or with a heavy load and has the potential for large, destructive avalanches. In general the snowpack depths, and therefore strength is highly variable due to windy conditions this season.

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