Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 22nd, 2015–Dec 23rd, 2015

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

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

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Glacier.

The skiing is 'all-time', but don't let your snowy goggles obscure your avalanche awareness. Assess snow conditions in your area, be cautious around soft slab in the alpine and manage your sluff.

Weather Forecast

Mainly cloudy with the slight chance of the sun poking through at higher elevations. Light southerly winds, cool temps and minimal snowfall are predicted for the next few days.Possibility of a storm arriving over the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Excellent skiing over the last week, with incremental snow fall accumulating to 50cm of low density pow. The mid and lower snowpack are well settled and bonded. Periods of moderate winds from various directions have redistributed the snow around in the alpine producing surface roughness and soft slab

Avalanche Summary

A natural cycle occurred yesterday along the highway corridor with numerous avalanches up to sz 2.0 coming out of steep, wind loaded, 'un-skiable' terrain.Numerous sz 1.0 surface sluffs were observed out of steep, rocky features.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Periods of moderate winds from various directions have redistributed the snow around in the alpine producing surface roughness and soft slab

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

80cm+ settled snow sits on top of the Dec 2nd interface. This layer consists of decomposing surface hoar at and below tree line and sun crusts on steep solar aspects in the alpine.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Loose Dry

Loose dry sloughing of storm snow can be expected in very steep terrain. This is more of a concern in steep confined gully features.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2