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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 8th, 2022–Dec 9th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Glacier.

30-40cm of low-density storm snow is making for some quality skiing and riding!

Don't let the powdery conditions obscure your avalanche awareness. The persistent slab from Nov. 17th remains a major concern in isolated areas that have not seen previous heavy traffic. If you don't know the history of a steep open slope, leave it for another time.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, a field team triggered a small storm slab on a small slope, on a SE aspect at treeline.

On Tuesday, a small natural avalanche cycle occurred in very steep, predominantly north-facing terrain in the Alpine. Cheops North 4 was directly observed (size 2, storm slab) stopping just short of the creek. Mt MacDonald had several size 1.5-2 storm slabs in the Highway Corridor, stopping at the top of the runout.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 40cm of new low-density storm snow buries the Dec 5th layer consisting of surface hoar and facets. Low-density storm slabs will likely be found in steep exposed start zones in the Alpine. The Nov 17th Surface Hoar is now buried 60-90cm below the surface and may become more reactive with the additional load.

Weather Summary

Up to 5cm of snow is forecast to fall overnight Thursday, bringing the snowfall totals to ~35cm since Monday.

Friday, we are expecting flurries, with light moderate SW winds, and alpine temperatures between -14*C and -12*C.

Into the weekend, we are expecting flurries, warming temps, and light winds.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Give the new snow several days to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.