Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 10th, 2020 3:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada jmacpherson, Avalanche Canada

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Nice weather after the first good snowfall in a while. Snow amounts very greatly with elevation as well from valley to valley. Constantly checking snow character and depths as you travel through the terrain is important. Watch overhead hazards especially as the wind increases.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Colder temps will remain in the area for the next few days. Friday should have scattered clouds which may give a dusting of snow in some areas but not a significant amount. Winds should remain light to moderate, increasing a bit through Saturday.

Avalanche Summary

Continued evidence of the recent cycle from the yesterdays storm, producing avalanches to size 2.5. No new in the last 12 hr.  

Snowpack Summary

The new snow is over a variety of surfaces, surface hoar in isolated locations up to 2100m as well as crusts from last week warm temps and the early storms rain, as well the hard wind slabs. The Nov. 6 crust is down 50-80cm there is a wide range of result on this layer it may become more sensitive with the new load uses caution in unsupported terrain. Isolated wind slabs all aspects in the alpine. New SH growth at all elevations.  

Terrain and Travel

  • Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Don't let the desire for deep powder pull you into high consequence terrain.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New windslabs can be found along ridgelines in alpine and treeline areas. These are not widepsread at this time but they are overlying the previous windslabs from last week also. Watch for cakey or or that upside snow snowpack feel.   

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Anomalous avalanches occurred during the last storm making this layer unpredictable at this point.

The November crust continues to be a concern in the snowpack. Any avalanche in the upper snowpack will likely scrub down to these layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Dec 11th, 2020 3:00PM

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