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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 25th, 2019–Dec 26th, 2019
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Northwest Inland.

Wind continues to impact new flurries and loose snow, slabs will be most reactive around ridge features and wind loaded terrain.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Alpine temperature -7 C. Southwest wind, 30-50 km/hr.

Thursday: Flurries and snow, 5-15 cm. Alpine temperature -5 C. Southwest wind, 30 gusting to 70 km/hr. Freezing level 800 m.

Friday: Sun, cloud, and isolated flurries, 5-15 cm. Alpine temperature -6 C. Southwest wind, 30-50 km/hr. Freezing level 700 m.

Saturday: Cloudy with isolated flurries, 5-10 cm. Alpine temperature -4 C. Southwest wind 15-20 km/hr gusting to 70 km/hr. Freezing level 1100 m.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no recent reports of avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

Flurries and snow will add to the 10-20 cm low density snow around the region. In exposed areas, moderate south-southwesterly winds have redistributed snow and developed wind slabs around ridge features and into the alpine.

Reports suggest there are 2 buried layers of surface hoar in the upper snowpack - one down 15-25 cm below the new snow, and another down 25-40. Where wind has scoured the snowpack, a crust from November is at or near the surface. In leeward terrain, this crust is 40-80 cm deep, and may include surface hoar in sheltered openings up to treeline.

Older crusts can be found deeper in the snowpack and are generally breaking down. In areas with a relatively thin snowpack, the base of the snowpack likely consists of weak faceted grains.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Flurries and recent snow continues to be redistributed by wind. Wind slabs will be most reactive around ridges and in leeward terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2