Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 24th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Dry and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Jeff Andrews,
Merry Christmas!!
Santa has brought a sac full of sensitive wind slabs in the alpine and open tree line all aspects; some in places you may not expect! Keep this in mind when choosing holiday objectives.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A mix of sun and cloud and a chance for isolated flurries Friday. Scattered flurries on Saturday with up to 5cm possible. Continued isolated flurries on Sunday.
Ridgetop winds will remain moderate to strong from the southwest on Friday; expect decreasing values on Saturday.
Temperature will be seasonal with freezing level remaining at valley bottom.
Snowpack Summary
A north wind event on Dec 22 loaded southerly lees; present strong to extreme SW winds are reloading northerly terrain with last weeks 40cm of storm snow. The new snow sits upon a facet layer with isolated surface hoar sheltered areas TL and below. Midpack is generally supportive with a weaker base of facets and depth hoar. Avg depth is 65-160cm.
Avalanche Summary
No Na activity reported today. Field team reporting whumphing and shooting cracks 2300m on southerly aspect Icefields area yesterday - suspect sensitive wind slab up to 60cm deep continuing to develop on specific terrain features all aspects at treeline and above.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Previous NW and present SW winds in the alpine and open tree line continue to develop wind slabs. Caution as these freshly built wind slabs are reactive and waiting for a trigger.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Be careful with reverse loaded pockets of wind slab at ridgeline.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Heads up climbers, There is a lot of overhead hazard above you at the moment.
- Minimize exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of an avalanche could be serious.
- Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain, particularly where the debris flows into terrain traps.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Be cautious of thick to thin snowpack areas being likely trigger locations. The wind slabs have the potential to step down to the weakness at the base of the snowpack.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Use caution in thin snowpack areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 25th, 2020 4:00PM
