Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 29th, 2020 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

timothy Johnson,

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Dig down and investigate the snowpack before committing to a line. Report your findings on the MIN.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: High -9 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h.

Thursday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: Low -10 °C, High -7 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 15-35 km/h.

Snowpack Summary

15-30cm of soft or dense snow (location dependent) over a generally firm mid-pack. Dec. Surface Hoar is down 40cm in isolated sheltered spots. An early season crust is down 40-100cm and decomposing. It overlies facets and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack but is well bridged by the mid-pack above unless found at shallow location.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed. No patrol yesterday

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Friday

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

In the alpine hard slabs sit overtop of facets. Dec 14th surface hoar to 6mm can be found in sheltered locations up to 2200m.

  • Whumphing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong indicators of an unstable snowpack.
  • Be aware of the potential for avalanches due to buried surface hoar in isolated areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

Be cautious of thick to thin snowpack areas being likely trigger locations. The persistent slabs have the potential to step down to the weakness at the base of the snowpack.

  • Use caution in thin snowpack areas.
  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Dec 30th, 2020 4:00PM