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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 14th, 2022–Dec 15th, 2022
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
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
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
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Regions: White Pass East, White Pass West.

Stormy weather continues until Friday morning. It's a good time to avoid wind affected terrain, like ridgelines and gully features, as reactive wind slabs continue to form.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No reports of recent avalanche activity. Although it is likely natural wind slab activity continues at higher elevations until the snow and winds taper by Friday morning.

Snowpack Summary

White Pass has received 15-25 cm of new snow with strong to extreme southwesterly winds since the weekend. Up to 60 cm deep, cohesive wind slabs have been formed on various aspects and elevations.

A faceting crust is found down 20-50 cm on solar aspects but has not been reactive in tests. The lower snowpack consists of soft, sugary facets and a crust near ground level.

Up to 125 cm of snow can be found in the alpine however winds have made distribution variable. Treeline snow depth averages 80 cm.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with periods of snow, up to 10 cm. Moderate to strong southwesterly winds in the lower alpine. While temperatures are around -5 C.

Thursday

Cloudy with periods of snow, up to 10 cm. Moderate to strong southwesterly winds in the lower alpine. While temperatures are around -5 C.

Friday

Flurries taper in the morning and an arctic air moves in bringing clear skies by the afternoon. Winds light from the Northeast. Temperatures will plummet to -20 C by the end of the day. 

Saturday

Mainly clear skies. Temperatures in the -20 to -25 C range, with light Northeasterly winds.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs remain reactive. While new windslabs will continue to form as long as the stormy weather continues. Deep wind slabs have formed, up to 100 cm and could create a very destructive avalanche if triggered. This is a good time to avoid avalanche terrain that has been exposed to recent winds. Riding quality will be best in wind sheltered areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5