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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 13th, 2021–Dec 14th, 2021
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Glacier.

Expect variable skiing in wind exposed terrain!

Soft turns can be found in sheltered areas below treeline.

Weather Forecast

After tonight's snow, unsettled weather remains bringing cloudy skies and scattered flurries.

Tonight: 4cm. Winds SE - 25-45km/h. Freezing level 600m

Tuesday: Trace of snow. Winds SE - 25-40km/h. Freezing level 1100m.

Wednesday: Trace of snow. Wind SW - 20-30km/h. Freezing level 600m.

Snowpack Summary

Rogers Pass received ~35cm of low density snow over the weekend. Extreme south winds created fresh slabs in exposed terrain features, further down into the path than you might expect. The Dec 1 crust is ~15cm thick at 1900m, buried by ~90cm and found up to 2300m. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well bonded and strong.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed today in the highway corridor.

A natural avalanche cycle up to size 3 occurred Saturday with the new snow and strong winds. Cheops N1 ran size 2.0 and dusted the skin track in the Connaught Drainage.

There have been many reports of size 1-2 skier triggered slab avalanches in steep terrain and on convex rolls.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

35cm of new snow over the weekend was redistributed by extreme winds (up to 140km/h at Macondald West Shoulder weather station saturday!). These extreme wind events may create slabs where you wouldn't normally expect them.

  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

There is 50-90cm on the Dec 1st crust, which has been skier-triggered in thinner snowpack areas. It is mainly an issue at treeline, but also extends into the lower alpine region up to 2300m.

  • Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
  • Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3