Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 24th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Dry.
Jonas Hoke,
Great skiing and a stabilizing trend... Santa's really nailed it this year.
Merry Christmas!
Summary
Weather Forecast
Cold air sliding down from the north will squeeze the remaining moisture out of the atmosphere, giving cloudy conditions and flurries as the temps cool.
Tonight: Flurries, Alpine low -16*C, light East ridgetop winds
Sat: Flurries, 7cm, High -15*C, light E wind
Sun: Sunny periods, Low -22*C, High -17*C, light E wind
Mon: Sunny, Low -28*C, High -20*C
Snowpack Summary
40+cm of snow and moderate-strong Southerly winds have formed a storm slab on top of previously faceted surfaces. The December 1st crust is buried approximately 80cm-150cm, with some facetting of the snow directly above and below (facetting in most prominent in shallower snowpack areas). Beneath the Dec 1st crust, the snowpack is dense and strong.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity was observed or reported on Friday.
Artillery control on Thursday produced numerous large-very large storm slab avalanches (size 2-3.5), with some running to valley bottom.
Strong gusty winds, new snow, and warming temperatures triggered several natural storm slab and loose dry avalanches Thursday morning, up to size 3.5.
Confidence
Problems
Storm Slabs
40+cm of new snow fell Wed/Thurs. All this new snow combined with moderate South winds and a slight rise in temperature, has formed soft slabs in many locations, these will be most problematic in the Alpine and at treeline.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created slabs over weaker snow.
- Use safe ski cutting techniques to enter your line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
40+cm of unconsolidated new snow has the potential to run far and fast in steep, unsupported terrain.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep, confined terrain.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 25th, 2021 4:00PM
