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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 25th, 2017–Dec 26th, 2017

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

Regions

Sea To Sky.

Ho, ho, HO! Here's to hoping for some appreciable snowfall later in the week.  We won't see much change until then.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Thursday

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridge wind light from the west. Temperature -8. Freezing level surface.WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy, flurries. Accumulation 5 cm. Ridge wind moderate from the southwest. Temperature -8. Freezing level surface.THURSDAY: Snow. Accumulation 10 - 20 cm. Ridge wind moderate from the southwest. Temperature -3. Freezing level 700 m.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no reports of avalanche activity since last week when there was a report of a small (size 1) skier accidental wind slab release on a north aspect in the alpine on Thursday. Last Wednesday, several small, skier-triggered avalanches were reported as well as explosives triggered slab avalanches up to Size 3 (stepping down to the late November crust) on wind-loaded slopes in the alpine and at treeline.

Snowpack Summary

A light dusting of new snow now covers a highly variable snowpack surface with hard and soft wind slabs as well as wind-scoured areas of exposed crust in the alpine, and soft unconsolidated snow in sheltered areas at treeline and below treeline. Approximately 5 cm of new snow overlies 20-40cm of old storm snow above the December 15th melt-freeze crust that formed on all aspects and elevations. Recent snowpack tests have ranged from no results, to moderate to hard resistant results on the December 15th layer.Beneath the December 15th layer lies at least 10 cm of sugary snow crystals (facets) and the late November crust, which is now buried 70-100 cm with a thin layer of facets above. Beneath this crust the lower snowpack is well settled.Some recent conditions reports can be found on the Mountain Information Network (MIN) here, and here.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.