Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 26th, 2011 9:15AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
pgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
Summary
Confidence
Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Tuesday: Light snow. Strong westerly winds. Freezing level near 1000m.Wednesday: 20-25cm snow. Moderate-strong west to south-west winds. Freezing level around 1450m.Thursday: 10-15cm snow. Moderate to strong west to south-west winds. Freezing level 1400m, lowering in the afternoon.We are in a challenging period for weather forecasting. Check out the Forecaster's Blog for more information on this and how it affects the avalanche forecasts.
Avalanche Summary
A natural and skier-triggered avalanche cycle with slabs up to size 2 was observed over the last couple of days. These were failing on the mid-December surface hoar on north through east aspects from 1700m to the peaks. Wind loading from the south-west overnight Sunday led to naturally-triggered wind-slabs on lee slopes on Monday morning. Touchy conditions are likely to continue through the forecast period.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20cm of new snow has been redistributed by south-west winds into touchy wind-slabs on lee slopes. A buried surface hoar layer from mid-December around 30cm down is now highly reactive. It is well-preserved with 10-15mm crystals and is most reactive well below ridges in protected terrain. The mid-pack is generally well settled. Facets exist at the base of the snowpack.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 27th, 2011 8:00AM
