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Avalanche Forecast

Dec 28th, 2012–Dec 29th, 2012
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Purcells.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Saturday: Isolated flurries in the early part of the day with partially sunny breaks in the afternoon. Winds will be light from the northwest. Alpine temperatures will be near -6.Sunday: A weak ridge of high pressure should bring dry conditions with light north winds and alpine temperatures near -6.Monday: High pressure will continue to influence the region giving mostly sunny conditions, light west winds and alpine temperatures near -6.

Avalanche Summary

There was recent (Dec 26) report of a size 3 skier triggered avalanche in the Dogtooth range. Triggered from a thin area on a cross-loaded west facing feature at the upper end of the tree-line elevation, it then stepped down to the early November crust. There are no other observations to report at this time.

Snowpack Summary

New snow combined with wind has formed fresh wind slabs on the surface and/or buried newly formed surface hoar in sheltered, open areas at and below tree line. The mid-pack is reported to be settling well. Recent reports indicate the late November surface hoar, near the middle of the snowpack has been inactive as of late. There has been a recent report of the early November crust, near the base of the snowpack being reactive. It's important to note that professionals are still cautious about these lingering persistent slab problems, however the likelihood of triggering is low. Be wary of steep complex terrain with a shallow snowpack, where triggering a persistent weakness is more likely

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for newly formed and buried windslabs in the lee of terrain features and on cross-loaded features. lee
Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Stay well to the windward side of corniced ridges.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Loose Dry

Expect the unconsolidated surface snow to sluff in steep terrain.
Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3