Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 19th, 2016 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeSummary
Weather Forecast
The calm and very cold weather of the last 2 weeks is over. Milder temperatures expected, with strong SW winds and steady precipitation (25cm possible by Friday in the Columbia Icefield area).
Snowpack Summary
Significant change in the last 48 hours due to intense SW winds and ridge top transport of faceted snow. Expect new wind slabs in lee areas and cross loaded gullies. Suspect surface hoar (Dec 11) in sheltered NE aspects around treeline (2100-2300m). Nov crust is now on the surface in scoured areas and as deep as 1m+ on lee aspects.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous natural wind slabs to sz 1.5 observed today, particularly in alpine gulley features and steep NE aspects. We expect that natural activity was fairly widespread in these types of terrain features, but become quickly obscured and re-loaded. Of note, one size 2 with impressive propagation (~250m) observed on Parker slab, NE, at 2200m.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Problems
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 20th, 2016 4:00PM