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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 21st, 2021–Dec 22nd, 2021

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Glacier.

Avalanche activity will spike during periods of heavy snowfall and strong, gusting winds.

Choose conservative terrain during the storm, and wait to explore more challenging terrain once things have calmed down this weekend.

Weather Forecast

The snow returns, to be replaced by cold, Arctic air for Christmas

Tonight: Flurries, 10cm, Alpine low -11*C, light SW winds

Wed: Snow, 15cm, Alpine high -7*C, light/gusting strong SW winds

Thurs: Snow, 13cm, Alpine high -6*C, light/gusting strong W winds

Fri: Flurries, 5cm, temps dropping to -18*C, light winds

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow will be landing on cold, faceted surfaces. Cold wx has sapped the strength/stiffness from wind slabs. The Dec 1 crust, down 70-120cm, and can be found up to 2300m. Facets (loose, sugary crystals) have been found above and below this crust. There is concern of triggering this layer in shallow, wind-scoured areas, especially at tree-line.

Avalanche Summary

Natural avalanche activity has been quiet the last couple of days, but will ramp up with the next storm. Natural avalanches will peak during periods of heavy snowfall and strong winds.

Snowpack tests continue to give sporadic sudden results on the Dec 1 crust, particularly in shallower snowpack areas at tree line.

Confidence

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.