Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations. Forecast precipitation (either snow or rain) amounts are uncertain.

  

SATURDAY NIGHT: Snow; 5-10 cm. / Strong, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -8 / Freezing level 1200 m.

SUNDAY: Flurries; 3-5 cm. / Moderate, west ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -6 / Freezing level 1300 m.

MONDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm. / Light, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -8 / Freezing level 1000 m.

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, west ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -7 / Freezing level 1100 m.

On Thursday, a ski cut resulted in a size 2 persistent slab avalanche on a northeast aspect in the alpine near Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. MIN report HERE.

A skier triggered avalanche was reported in the Golden area on Wednesday. Check out the MIN report HERE. The 50 cm failure plane depth matches up with the persistent weak layers discussed in our snowpack summary. The report also suggests that in some areas more recent wind slabs may be quite reactive.

These recent avalanches are a reminder that when persistent slabs are the problem; conservative terrain choices are the answer.

New snow and strong southwest winds will build reactive wind slabs in lee features at treeline and above.

There are currently two layers of concern in much of this region's snowpack. The early December surface hoar is down 30 to 80 cm. Although there have been no new reports of avalanches on this layer in the last few days, it remains possible to human trigger where it is well preserved. There may also be a crust near or instead of this layer in some areas.

The lower snowpack is characterized by more crusts, the most notable is a rain crust from early November that is sitting near the base of the snowpack, surrounded by a weak layer of sugary facets. It is most likely to be reactive to human triggers in steep, shallow, rocky areas with a thin to thick snowpack.

• Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of buried persistent weak layers.
• Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
• Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.