Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Dec 23 – 24, 2012Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

We have limited observations from the region. Send us yours! [email protected]

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–4
    It is likely that wind slabs have developed behind ridges and terrain breaks.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–5
    A deeply buried facet/crust weakness exists. This layer could be triggered by large loads such as a cornice collapse or from a thin-spot trigger point.

Confidence

Poor - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

Monday: Light S winds, with moderate to strong NE outflow winds in places. Alpine temperatures around -14 with an inversion (colder temperatures in the valley floor).  No precipitation.Tuesday: Light winds. Alpine temperature around -10 with an inversion. No precipitation.Wednesday: Light SE winds. Alpine temperature around -10. No precipitation.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs and cornices are likely to have developed on a fairly widespread basis and may be found in unusual locations lee to NE and E outflow winds. Spotty surface hoar was buried in the upper snowpack in sheltered treeline areas, although little is known about its reactivity. Near the base of the snowpack, a facet/crust layer remains a concern for unlikely but possible deep releases. It may be possible to trigger this weakness with a very heavy load (e.g. cornice fall) or from a thin-spot trigger point.

Regions covered