Lawinenlagebericht

North Columbia

Dec 24 – 25, 2020Avalanche Canada
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Lawinengefahr

Sat
Sun
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
3 · Erheblich
Unterhalb
3 · Erheblich
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Kernpunkte

The load sitting on a variety of buried weak layers has likely reached a tipping point. If triggered avalanches running on these weak layers may be large and destructive. Choose conservative terrain in the coming days.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Likely
    Größe
    1–2

    There is lots of snow available for recent moderate to strong winds to transport into alpine and treeline lee terrain.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    2.5–3.5

    The last storm pushed the persistent slab problem over the tipping point resulting in very large avalanches Saturday & Sunday. The slab rests on a persistent weak layer which has the capacity to propagate avalanches across terrain features. Wind exposed features are expected to be particularly volatile.

Snowpack Summary

60 to 100 cm of storm snow has fallen over the last week. Underneath this storm snow there is a sandwich of weak layers which are widespread throughout the region.

Just under the new snow, about one meter below the surface is the mid December surface hoar. This layer has been failing naturally and has been quite sensitive to human triggering. Large avalanches have been running on this interface connecting big terrain features. 

Below that lies the early December persistent weak layer, it's about 80 to 140 cm below the surface. This weak layer is a mixed bag that often presents as surface hoar and facets sitting on top of a supportive crust. This is a nasty weak layer, when avalanches fail on it, they have been large and destructive. Smaller avalanches in motion can step down to this one too. 

Confidence

Low - Uncertainty is due to limitations in the field data.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear skies, light southwest wind, alpine temperature near -12 C. 

THURSDAY: Mainly sunny, light southerly wind, alpine temperature near -4 C with a chance of a weak temperature inversion.

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate south wind, alpine temperature near -5 C. 

SATURDAY: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries, light west wind, alpine temperature near -7 C.

Avalanche Summary

Over the weekend a natural avalanche cycle took place with avalanches averaging size 1.5 to 2.5, but there were a few size 3 and even size 3.5's in the mix too. Many of the larger avalanches likely ran on persistent weak layers.

Terrain and Travel

  • Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a persistent slab.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Carefully manage your exposure to overhead hazards while entering and leaving riding areas.

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