Avalanche Forecast
Regions: South Rockies.
Wind slabs may linger up high and it is still possible to trigger large avalanches on buried weak layers.
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 30 to 50 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -9 C.
THURSDAY: Partly cloudy, 20 to 30 km/h northwest wind, alpine temperature -8 C.
FRIDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, 20 to 50 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -5 C.
SATURDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 15 cm, 40 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -5 C.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches have been reported in the region.
Snowpack Summary
Wind from predominantly the southwest has redistributed last week's snow, resulting in wind slabs in exposed terrain features at and above treeline elevations. Wind-affected snow in exposed terrain and soft snow in sheltered terrain overly a hard melt-freeze crust below 1900 m.
Weak layers of feather surface hoar and/or sugary faceted grains may be found above a hard melt-freeze crust around 40 to 90 cm deep. Avalanches were reported on these layers on December 23 and 25.
The base of the snowpack consists of faceted grains and a hard melt-freeze crust from early-November. The most recent activity on this layer was on December 23.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
- Avoid slopes that sound hollow or drum-like.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of buried weak layers.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind affected terrain is expected in exposed terrain at alpine and treeline elevations. Recent southwest wind has formed the newest slabs on north to east aspects.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Weak layers of feathery surface hoar and/or sugary faceted grains above a hard melt-freeze crust remain buried in the snowpack around 40 to 90 cm deep. Although these layers are slowly bonding to the snowpack, the possibility remains that a rider could trigger them.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3