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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 22nd, 2021–Dec 23rd, 2021

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

Regions

Northwest Inland.

Give the wind slab problem some more time to settle out before committing to larger features. Cold/dry conditions will slowly break down wind slab.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Wednesday night: Light to moderate North winds with a Low of -22 at 1600m. No new snow is expected.

Thursday: No new snow expected. Moderate North wind in the morning becoming light North in the afternoon. High of -18 at 1600m.

Friday: light to moderate Northeast winds with no new snow expected. High of -21 at 1600m.

Saturday: moderate winds from the Northeast with no new snow expected. High of -23 at 1600m.

Avalanche Summary

We suspect some natural wind slab avalanches would have taken place on Tuesday.

a few size 2 natural wind slabs were observed in the alpine in the South part of the forecast region on Monday.

Observations are limited. If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

Westerly aspects are generally scoured but wind slab could exist on some cross loaded features. New wind slab has likely formed on North and East aspects.

The December 15 surface hoar layer is 10 to 20cm below the surface in sheltered treeline and below treeline features. It is likely not a problem yet.

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Snowpack depth at treeline typically ranges from 100-200 cm, with higher values in the western part of the region and tapering to the east. In the far southwest of the region, the height of snow is closer to 300 cm. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.