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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 27th, 2021–Dec 28th, 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, 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

North Rockies.

Carefully assess for wind slab before committing to a feature. Even a small avalanche or injury could be very consequential due to very cold temperatures.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Monday night: winds will be generally light except the north of the region where winds will be moderate to strong from the north. Low of -30 with some light flurries.

Tuesday: Some flurries ending around noon with moderate to strong northwest windsin the north and light in the south. high of -23 at 1300m.

Wednesday: light to moderate southwest winds at treeline with flurries throughout the day. High of -24 at 1300m.

Thursday: winds returning to northerly with flurries throughout the day. High of -20 at 1300m.

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday our field team observed some natural avalanche activity up to size 1.5 in steep or extreme terrain in the treeline while in the southern part of the forecast region.

Explosives on Thursday produced wind slabs up too size 1.5 in treeline and alpine start zones with limited propagation.

Snowpack Summary

West winds in the north could have reloaded some east slopes. Wind slab will still likely be found on west facing slopes in the south. As the winds shift to the north we will see unusual wind loading and potentially wind slab on all aspects.

 

A surface hoar layer up to size 4 was recently buried, it is not yet a problem.

Snowpack depth at treeline typically ranges from 100-250 cm, with the shallower value mainly on the eastern side of the range and the deepest snowpack around Renshaw.

Terrain and Travel

  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.
  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous 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.