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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 23rd, 2019–Dec 24th, 2019
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Northwest Inland.

Recent snow, continued flurries, and wind continue to promote slab development at upper elevations.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

Monday Night: Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm. Alpine temperature -6 C. South-southwest wind, 35 km/hr gusting to 70 km/hr.

Tuesday: Cloudy with isolated flurries, 5-10 cm. Alpine temperature -6 C. West wind, 25-45 km/hr.

Wednesday: Mainly cloudy. Alpine temperature -7 C. Southwest wind, 30-50 km/hr.

Thursday: Snow, 10-35 cm. Alpine temperature -4 C. Southwest wind 50-85 km/hr.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no recent reports of avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

15-30 cm of snow fell in the region early last week and flurries continue to contribute to totals. Moderate south-southwesterly winds have since developed wind slabs, especially around ridge features and into the alpine. 

Reports suggest there are 2 buried layers of surface hoar in the upper snowpack - one down 15-25 cm below the new snow, and another down 25-40. Where wind has scoured the snowpack, a crust from November is at or near the surface. In leeward terrain, this crust is 40-80 cm deep, and may include surface hoar in sheltered openings up to treeline.

Older crusts can be found deeper in the snowpack and are generally breaking down. In areas with a relatively thin snowpack, the base of the snowpack likely consists of weak faceted grains.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Flurries and recent snow has been and continues to be redistributed by wind. Wind slabs will be most reactive around ridges and in leeward terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2