Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 22nd, 2018–Dec 23rd, 2018

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

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

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: Northwest Inland.

Wind slabs are likely to be encountered at upper elevations and may be reactive to human triggering, especially in lee features.

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, 2-4 cm / southeast winds, 30-40 km/h / alpine low temperature near -11SUNDAY - Cloudy with flurries, up to 5 cm / southeast winds, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near -4MONDAY - Flurries, 2-4 cm / southwest winds 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near -4, low temperature near -8TUESDAY - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries / light west winds / alpine high temperature near -7, low temperature near -9

Avalanche Summary

There have been no recent reports of avalanches, however information from this region is limited. Tell us what you see by posting to the Mountain Information Network! (MIN)

Snowpack Summary

A few centimeters of new snow adds to the 50-90 cm of snow that has fallen over the past week. Strong winds have likely formed wind slabs throughout the region. Deeper and more sensitive wind deposits are likely to be found at higher elevations. The storm snow sits on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow) that formed during the dry spell in early December. Information is very limited in this region about how well the new snow is bonding to this layer.Deeper in the snowpack, there are several crusts including an early season crust with facets near the bottom of the snowpack.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

50-90 cm of recent new snow has likely been redistributed by strong winds in the region. Wind loaded slopes at higher elevations are the most suspect for human triggering.

Field observations have been limited. Supplement this forecast with your own observations.Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.Approach steep lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2