Reactive wind slabs may exist at upper elevations and could step down to deeper weak layers producing large avalanches. Use a conservative approach to terrain selection as the snowpack remains highly variable in the region.
Summary
Confidence
Low - Due to the number and quality of field observations
Weather Forecast
Sunday: Mix of sun and valley cloud. Ridgetop winds light from the North West. Alpine temperatures near -6 and freezing levels at valley bottom. Monday: Mostly cloudy. Alpine temperatures near -3 freezing levels rising to 1000 m. Ridgetop winds strong from the West.Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. Alpine temperatures near 0 degrees and freezing levels 1500 m. Ridgetop winds light from the South West.Expect temperature inversions from Monday onward. Check out the
Mountain Weather Forecast for details.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanche activity has been reported. Stiff wind slabs may exist at treeline and in the alpine on leeward slopes and cross-loaded features. If triggered, these could step down and trigger deeper weak layers, initiating large avalanches. The last significant avalanche observation was submitted on November 28th from Skilokis Cr. A size 2.5 persistent slab was triggered from 150 m distance away. This problem will likely linger. Check out the
Mountain Information Network for more details. Give info, get info.
Snowpack Summary
Alpine snow surfaces are likely wind affected with average snowpack depths 80 cm -140 cm at treeline elevations, and up to 160 cm in the alpine. Approximately 30-50 cm of recent snow now overlies two crusts that were buried near the end of November. Reports indicate that these crusts extend well into the alpine. Below these crusts exists a well settled mid pack overlying the late October crust near the base of the snowpack. This late October "crust/facet combo" is widespread and has been reactive to rider triggers producing large avalanches.
swerner,
Avalanche Canada
