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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 26th, 2023–Dec 27th, 2023

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

Regions

Glacier.

Wind slabs exist in the alpine. If triggered, these may step down to the persistent weak layer.

Good quality riding can be found at higher elevations, but take your time on the descent through the trees or valley bottom exits, it is still quite rugged with a below-average snowpack.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Several loose dry and small slab avalanches were observed the past few days.

A human-triggered avalanche occurred on Video peak Saturday afternoon involving a group of 3, no injuries reported.

Last week several significant human-triggered avalanches were failing on the Dec 1st surface hoar layer. The most notable avalanches occurred on Balu Pk & Ursus Minor.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 5cm of new snow covers wind slabs in the alpine, formed by 15-25cm of recent snow and moderate winds. Below 1800m 10-15cm of snow sits on breakable crust from recent warm temps.

Significant layers in the mid snowpack are:

-A rain crust below 2100m, down 40-60cm.

-The Dec 1 surface hoar, down 60-100cm. Which continues to give 'sudden' test results, and caused some close calls for skiers last week.

In shallow areas, the base of the snowpack is faceted and unsupportive.

Weather Summary

A ridge of high pressure continues to block any significant snowfall from reaching our region.

Tonight: Clear periods. Alpine Low -6 °C. Light South ridgetop winds.

Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud. High 1 °C. Freezing level (Fzl) 2300m. Gusty moderate S winds.

Thurs: Scattered flurries (4 cm). Low -5 °C, High -4 °C. Fzl 1500m. Moderate SW wind.

Fri: Sunny periods. Low -6 °C, High 0 °C. Fzl 1600m. Light S winds.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.