Be cautious in areas with thin snowpacks, especially shallow rocky spots. Please submit your observations to the MIN.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
We're beginning to see a shift from the very cold conditions of late with daytime temperatures warming up by 5-10 degrees Celcius. Only some isolated flurries possible until late Sunday when a small amount of snow may fall (5-10 cms).FRIDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods. Wind becoming southwesterly 15-25 Km/h. High temperatures near -14 and lows to -28 Celcius overnight. Small chance of isolated flurries. SATURDAY: Sunny breaks with increasing clouds late in the day. Slight chance of flurries. Winds light easterly 5-10 Km/h. High temperatures near -12 and lows to -22 Celcius.SUNDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. Wind light and variable. Temperatures between -14and -24 Celcius. 5-10 cms light dry snow possible overnight.
Avalanche Summary
No new observed.
Snowpack Summary
The recent storm snow has been transported by northeast winds into wind slabs on south and west aspects. In some areas these wind slabs may be sitting on an old scoured surface that was stripped by previous strong westerly winds that developed wind slabs on north and east aspects. The newer wind slabs are probably easier to trigger, but the old wind slabs may continue to release with the added load of a rider, especially where they are sitting on a shallow weak sugary base.The mid snowpack is generally right side up, with the mid-December interface down 40-80cms, giving inconsistent results in snowpack tests. There is some faceting below this interface but resistances are good and showing signs of rounding (stabilizing).Travel conditions have been challenging (especially at lower elevations) and little change is expected until the next warm up helps to settle the snowpack.
mgrist,
Avalanche Canada
