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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 25th, 2017–Dec 26th, 2017

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

Regions

South Coast Inland.

The southern part of the region continues to be the driver for elevated hazard levels. Although wind slabs remain a concern in northern areas.Ho, ho, hopefully the whole region will see some appreciable snowfall later in the week!

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Thursday

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridge wind light from the west. Temperature -12. Freezing level surface.WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy, flurries. Accumulation trace. Ridge wind moderate from the southwest. Temperature -10. Freezing level surface.THURSDAY: Snow. Accumulation 5 - 15 cm. Ridge wind moderate to strong from the southwest. Temperature -5. Freezing level 400 m.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no new reports of avalanches since last week when southern areas saw numerous loose dry to Size 1.5, as well as slab and glide avalanches to Size 2 on steep, leeward terrain and smooth rock slabs, while the northern part of the region reported wind slab activity up to size 2 on north and west aspects in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

The recent storm snow has been redistributed by moderate to strong northerly winds in the alpine and exposed treeline areas, creating both hard and soft wind slabs in lee areas and scouring windward areas. Soft unconsolidated snow can still be found in sheltered areas at treeline and below.The southern part of the region has seen impressive storm snow totals (90-150cm) in the past seven days, compared to northern areas of the region, which received 25-35cm. This new snow sits on crusts of variable thickness that formed on almost all aspects in mid-December (December 15th layer). On steep southerly aspects this crust is supportive, whereas on northerly aspects it is quite thin and variable. Beneath the December 15th layer the snowpack is well settled. The late November rain crust is now buried 50-80 cm in the northern part of the region and well over 1 m in the south. Great conditions reports from the north of the region are posted on the Mountain Information Network (MIN) here, as well as from the southern part of the region, 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.

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.