Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 6th, 2012 10:05AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Due to variable snowpack conditions

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Friday: Light snowfall / moderate northwest winds / Freezing level at surfaceSaturday: No precipitation / Light northwest winds / Freezing level at surfaceSunday: Light snowfall / Light southwest winds / Freezing level at surface

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche observations.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm accumulations have been highly variable throughout the region; however, some ares saw moderate to heavy snowfall a few days ago. In general winds have been strong creating widespread windslabs at higher elevations. Warmer temperatures and rain at lower elevations have created moist surfaces that will most likely form a temperature crust with dropping freezing levels. Cornices are also reported to be unseasonably large and potentially unstable.There have been reports of buried surface hoar up to a metre down. This layer, which was buried about a week ago, seems most prevalent on the west side of the region. Little is known about its current reactivity.At the base of the snowpack you may find the early November crust which is associated with a layer of facets either directly above or below.In general, snowpack data is sparse in this region and significant variations likely exist from one drainage to another. Digging down and making your own observations will be critical to safe slope selection. Any observations from the field are welcome at forecaster@avalanche.ca.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Recent light to locally heavy snowfall and strong winds have created new wind slabs. With high wind values, loading may have taken place lower on the slope than normal.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs
We have not heard of any new releases on this early season rain crust; however, an avalanche at this interface could be surprisingly large and destructive.
Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 5

Valid until: Dec 7th, 2012 2:00PM