Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 17th, 2019 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeThe extent of the new wind slab distribution is uncertain. Where it exist you can expect the new load to be reactive.
Summary
Weather Forecast
The peak wind event will have passed by Tuesday evening but expect moderate to strong values Wednesday. Forecasted temperatures will continue to be warm through the rest of the week. Small inputs of snow are expected Wednesday, Thursday with the intensity increasing by the end of the week. 10-30cm of snow accumulation if forecasted by Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
New wind slab can be found on immediate lees alpine and tree line, the extent of the distribution is uncertain. Beneath the recent 40-60 cm of storm snow, the snowpack structure is generally weak, consisting of facets and depth hoar. The Nov crust is present up to 2500m and ~30 cm up from ground. Snowpack depths at treeline range from 80-160 cm.
Avalanche Summary
No new natural avalanche activity observed for the past two days.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong wind values Tuesday have created thin wind slabs predominantly on East aspects directly below ridge top. Expect the new load to be reactive to light loads for the near future.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created slabs over weaker snow.
- Caution on open steep slopes at treeline that have been exposed to wind loading.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The recent snow sits over weak facet and crust layers. As time goes on the chance of triggering is becoming less likely, but there is lots of uncertainty as to where you could trigger an avalanche and what it will take to get it moving.
- Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 18th, 2019 4:00PM