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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 26th, 2020–Dec 27th, 2020
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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

Regions: Glacier.

Although decreasing in likelihood, triggered persistent weak layers could result in avalanches running to valley bottom.

There is a Special Avalanche Warning in effect. Click Here to access.

Weather Forecast

A pacific frontal system will cross the BC interior today, gradually dissipating Sunday morning

Today: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries (5cm). Alpine high -7 C. Wind SW 20-30 km/h

Tonight: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries (5cm). Alpine low -9 C. Wind SW 30 km/h

Tomorrow: Cloudy with sunny periods, no precip. Alpine high -8 C. Wind W 10 km/h

Snowpack Summary

The recent storm dropped 120cm snow and was accompanied by warm temps and strong S-SW winds, followed by strong N winds. Weak layers: Dec 13 surface hoar/facets are down 70-110cm, Dec 7 crust/surface hoar layer is down 110-130cm+. The Nov 5 crust lingers near the base of the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Thursday, a skier accidental size 2 slab avalanche occurred in a SE Couloir on Mt Afton.

Wednesday, avalanche control by MOT produced two size 4 avalanches just west of the Glacier Park boundary. Bagheera SE face went size 3.5 overnight Wednesday. The suspected failure plane for these avalanches is the December 7th crust/ facet interface.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

120cm of storm snow in the past week with mild temperatures and strong S/SW winds. Post storm strong N'ly winds reverse loaded S'ly aspects too, expect slab formation on all aspects in the alpine and exposed areas of TL.

  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Keep an eye out for reverse loading created by N-NE winds earlier in the week.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

The Dec 7th surface hoar/crust and Dec 13th surface hoar layers have produced very large avalanches this past week, up to size 4! Wind slabs have the potential to step down to this layer.

  • Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.
  • Be wary of large alpine slopes that did not previously avalanche.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3