Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 26th, 2011 9:15AM

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

Avalanche Canada pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

We are receiving very few field observations from this region. You can help! Tell us what you are seeing out there: email forecaster@avalanche.ca

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

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
Very touchy conditions have been observed, with avalanches failing easily on a buried surface hoar layer in the upper snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
South-west winds have created wind-slabs behind ridges and terrain breaks. These are expected to build through the week.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 27th, 2011 8:00AM