Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 27th, 2017–Dec 28th, 2017

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

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

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

It is cold and the days are short. Start early and plan a turn around time that gets you back to the trail head well before dark.

Weather Forecast

Today, light precipitation, an alpine high of -17C with W'ly winds in the light to moderate range. For Thursday through Friday we may receive 10cm of snow with light winds and warming temperatures.

Snowpack Summary

40-50cm of snow is settling into a persistent slab which sits on the Dec 15 surface hoar. Expect the slab to be more reactive as you transition into steep and/or wind effected terrain. Solar aspects have a thin crust layer below the slab. Light snow overnight will have buried a thin layer of surface hoar needles, the Dec 27 layer.

Avalanche Summary

One size 1.5 ski cut surface slab off the west face of Cheops. This slide was observed yesterday but suspect it happened in the Dec 24-25 time period.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

30-50cm of snow is settling into a persistent slab which sits on the Dec 15 surface hoar. Expect the slab to be more reactive as you transition into steep and/or wind effected terrain. Solar aspects have a thin crust layer below the slab.

Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.Be aware of the potential for larger avalanches due to a buried surface hoar layer

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Variable winds formed pockets of wind slab in the alpine and exposed areas at tree line on all aspects. These slabs may have surface hoar or crust underneath, leading them to be sensitive to human triggering.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3