Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 24th, 2021–Dec 25th, 2021

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

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 avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Glacier.

Great skiing and a stabilizing trend... Santa's really nailed it this year.

Merry Christmas!

Weather Forecast

Cold air sliding down from the north will squeeze the remaining moisture out of the atmosphere, giving cloudy conditions and flurries as the temps cool.

Tonight: Flurries, Alpine low -16*C, light East ridgetop winds

Sat: Flurries, 7cm, High -15*C, light E wind

Sun: Sunny periods, Low -22*C, High -17*C, light E wind

Mon: Sunny, Low -28*C, High -20*C

Snowpack Summary

40+cm of snow and moderate-strong Southerly winds have formed a storm slab on top of previously faceted surfaces. The December 1st crust is buried approximately 80cm-150cm, with some facetting of the snow directly above and below (facetting in most prominent in shallower snowpack areas). Beneath the Dec 1st crust, the snowpack is dense and strong.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity was observed or reported on Friday.

Artillery control on Thursday produced numerous large-very large storm slab avalanches (size 2-3.5), with some running to valley bottom.

Strong gusty winds, new snow, and warming temperatures triggered several natural storm slab and loose dry avalanches Thursday morning, up to size 3.5.

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.