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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 30th, 2013–Dec 31st, 2013

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

Regions

Little Yoho.

Good skiing can be found in sheltered areas but the overall weak nature of the snowpack requires that conservative route choices be made.

Weather Forecast

Snow will taper of on Monday night with just light flurries for Tuesday and Wednesday.  Up to 10cm forecasted for Thursday. Treeline temperatures will be around -8

Snowpack Summary

At treeline the snowpack is roughly 1 metre deep. The midpack is supportive on skis but is comprised mostly of weak facets. East of the divide there is 10-20 cm of recent storm snow and west of the divide there is up to 35 cm of fresh snow. Continued mod to strong winds have created hard and soft slabs in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

One natural up to Class 2 observed on Mt. Dennis above the Field Ice Climbs. Several loose snow avalanches out of steep terrain in the recent storm snow observed in Emerald lake area

Confidence

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.