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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 15th, 2017–Dec 16th, 2017

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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Northwest Inland.

Slopes that are sheltered from the wind and sun  will likely offer the best riding.

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

Saturday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Alpine temperatures -2 and freezing levels 1000 m. Ridgetop winds strong from the southwest.Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures -3. Ridgetop winds light with strong gusts from the southwest.Monday: MIx of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures -7. Ridgetop winds light from the southwest.Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for more detail.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche observations. Please submit your information to the Mountain Information Network. Give info get info.

Snowpack Summary

Snow surfaces are highly variable throughout the region. Solar and temperature crusts have formed on sun-exposed slopes, while stiff, stubborn wind slabs linger in leeward alpine terrain. Feathery surface hoar and surface facets have formed below treeline up to 1500 m. Approximately 30-50 cm of snow sits on two crusts that were buried near the end of November. These crusts are widespread and extend into the alpine. Although snowpack tests have previously shown hard results at these crust interfaces, more recent observations have been limited. Below these crusts, a well settled mid-pack overlies the late October crust near the base of the snowpack. This "crust/facet combo" layer is widespread and has not been reactive to rider and remote triggers since the end of November. These rain crusts will likely be with us all winter but may not pose a problem until we see a significant change in the weather.Average snowpack depths now total 80-140 cm at treeline elevations and up to 160 cm in the alpine.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.