Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 2nd, 2014–Dec 3rd, 2014

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

Continue to be cautious. Very large avalanches may still be triggered. Be wary of open planar slopes, thin areas where deeper layers may be triggered, and slopes that did not avalanche in last weeks cycle.

Weather Forecast

Today will be cloudy with isolated flurries, with a high of -11'C and moderate SW winds. Wednesday will be a mix of sun and cloudy, with a high of -3'C. Thursday will be cloudy with sunny periods and freezing levels will rise to 1200m.

Snowpack Summary

Cold temps have tightened up the wet slab for now but are also weakening the snowpack over time. When temps rise, layers are expected to wake up again. Snowpack tests on two touchy weak layers buried down ~100 and ~130cm continue to indicate the may be triggered by skiers and produce very large avalanches. A hard rain crust exists below ~1600m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed over the past 72hrs. Prior to the cold snap, a widespread avalanche cycle occurred. Large avalanches, with wide propagations, demonstrated the potential of buried weak layers. Some areas have not yet avalanched, for example the Frequent Flyer path up the Connaught Drainage.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent weak layers buried down ~1m and ~1.3m are cause for concern. As temperatures rise the likelihood of triggering will increase and they are capable of producing very large avalanches. Be especially cautious on planar open slopes.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.Be wary of slopes that did not previously avalanche - even on low angle terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3