Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 19th, 2017 4:41PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada mgrist, Avalanche Canada

Storm snow will take time to settle. Stick to simple terrain on Wednesday and avoid all overhead hazard.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

After Tuesday's storm it will clear up and we'll have dry weather with cool temperatures for the foreseeable future.WEDNESDAY: Clearing in the afternoon. Ridge wind moderate northerly. Freezing level at the surface, alpine high temperatures of -8THURSDAY: Clouds and isolated flurries. Ridge wind moderate from the north west. Temperature near -3. Freezing level at the surface. FRIDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods. Ridge wind moderate from the north east. Temperature near -7. Freezing level at the surface.

Avalanche Summary

No new reported; however, a widespread natural avalanche cycle is expected in the south of the region with Tuesday's storm.

Snowpack Summary

The south of the region has seen impressive storm snow totals (50-70cm) since Sunday night, compared to the north of the region, which received 15-25cm. This new snow sits on crusts of variable thickness that formed on almost all aspects in early December. On steep southerly aspects the crust is supportive, whereas on northerly aspects the crust is quite thin and variable. Moderate to strong (north) westerly winds have redistributed the new snow, creating deep drifts on down wind (lee) features. Lower down, the snowpack is well settled and has not been showing any signs of activity on the late November rain crust.Treeline snow depths are approximately 1.4 m throughout the region.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Tuesday's storm brought heavy snowfall to the south of the region with moderate to strong (north) westerly winds. Give things time to settle out and stick to simple terrain with no consequence or overhead hazard.
Choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low / no consequence.If off-trail travel is deep and punchy, avoid avalanche terrain, including runouts.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 20th, 2017 2:00PM

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