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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 22nd, 2021–Dec 23rd, 2021

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal.

Continually assess for wind slab as you move through terrain. Winds have varied in direction over the last week, wind slab could exist on all aspects as a result.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Wednesday night: No new snow expected and a low of -17 at 900m. Winds will be moderate gusting to strong from the North.

Thursday: no new snow expected. Moderate North wind and a high of -14 at 900m.

Friday: sunny with no new snow expected. Moderate North winds with a high of -16 at 900m.

Saturday: sunny with no new snow expected. Winds will be strong from the Northeast with a high of -20 at 900m.

Avalanche Summary

Loose dry avalanches to size 1.5 in steep terrain were reported throughout the region on Tuesday.

Several natural wind slabs up to size 2.5 were reported to have released from ridgetops on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slab can be found on all aspects. As the temperatures drop the wind slab will start to facet out.

A new surface hoar layer was buried on Tuesday, it is not a problem yet.

The December 18th surface hoar/facet layer is down 30cm, the surface hoar was observed up to 12mm in both the treeline and below treeline. It is likely only a problem in isolated locations in the treeline where wind slab has formed above it.

The December 7 persistent weak layer is now typically down 100cm and has not produced avalanches in over a week.

Snowpack depths vary greatly across the region, expect to find anywhere from 100-300 cm of snow around treeline.

Terrain and Travel

  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

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.