Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 11th, 2016 4:30PM

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

Avalanche Canada jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Forecast wind speeds are highly uncertain for Monday. If winds are strong, new wind slabs may form in exposed lee terrain, and the avalanche danger may be higher than posted.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Wind speed and direction is uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

Monday: Clear skies / Moderate northwest winds / Alpine temperature of -21Tuesday: Clear skies / Moderate northwest winds / Alpine temperature of -20Wednesday: Clear skies / Light northwest winds / Alpine temperature of -18

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, loose dry and soft wind slab avalanches to size 1.0 were reported at treeline and in the alpine. If the wind picks-up on Monday, new wind slab activity will likely occur, especially in areas where snow surfaces are loose and unconsolidated.

Snowpack Summary

20-50cm of recent low density storm snow is settling slowly due to the cold temperatures. Variable wind effect has created wind slabs in the alpine in some areas, while other operations report little or no wind resulting in loose unconsolidated snow. The depth of the mid-november crust is also variable across the region. Reports have the crust down between 100-200 cm and snowpack tests have produced a wide array of results from moderate sudden planar to hard resistant planar, and in some cases no result. Watch for near surface facets developing in the upper snowpack that may develop a poor bonding layer before the next storm. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and/or below that may provide a weak layer above a smooth sliding surface in the future.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
If the winds pick-up on Monday, the light and unconsolidated surface snow will likely get redistributed into fresh wind slabs. The winds will be from the north, which means fresh wind slabs may exist on aspects where you normally don't find them.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 12th, 2016 2:00PM