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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 14th, 2019–Dec 15th, 2019

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Northwest Coastal.

Another day with a stable weather pattern. Cooler, drier conditions will give way to a series of frontal systems impacting the region early in the week.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods, light wind from the northwest, alpine high temperatures around -7 C.

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind from the west, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.

MONDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5-10 cm, moderate to strong wind from the southwest, alpine high temperature around -4 C.

TUESDAY: Snow, accumulation 20-40 cm, moderate to strong wind from the southwest, alpine high temperature around -5 C.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no recent reports of avalanche activity. Looking ahead, the main concern is slabs forming above the recently buried surface hoar recent new snow continues to settle.

Snowpack Summary

10-30 cm of fresh snow may now be sitting above a concerning layer of surface hoar that formed in areas sheltered from the wind. As more snow accumulates over this layer expect to see it form very reactive slabs. Reports suggest this layer can be found on all aspects up to treeline elevations. In the alpine, the new snow is burying hard wind slabs and/or sun crusts on south-facing terrain. The lower snowpack is generally considered strong, as there has been very little to report in terms of recent avalanche activity or snowpack test results on deeper layers. Snowpack depths at treeline range from 100-150 cm and taper quickly at lower elevations.

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.