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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 30th, 2017–Dec 31st, 2017

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

Regions

Lizard-Flathead.

Conditions are primed for human triggered avalanches at all elevations: There's a buried weak layer in the snowpack, with a critical amount of recent storm snow sitting on top. Conservative terrain choices are key for safe riding this weekend.

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Dry with cool temperatures for the foreseeable future. SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. Ridge wind light southwest. Temperature -14. Freezing level surface.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridge wind light southwest. Temperature -12. Freezing level surface.TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridge wind light west. Temperature -12. Freezing level surface.

Avalanche Summary

A widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred on Friday into Saturday producing storm slab avalanches to Size 2 on north through south easterly aspects between 1700 m and 2100 m.A surprising amount of natural avalanche activity was also reported below treeline on Saturday - see here for the MIN report and details. On Thursday, natural and skier triggered storm slab releases up to size 1.5 were reported including a remote-triggered Size 1.5 slab on an open, rock slope on a north west aspect below treeline. Whumpfing and cracking in rocky areas was also reported on Thursday. See the report on the Mountain Information Network (MIN) here.Earlier in the week on Monday, one large naturally-triggered avalanche (size 2) was reported on a north-facing alpine feature that likely failed on the mid-December surface hoar layer. There have been some isolated reports of whumpfs and small avalanches failing on the mid-December surface hoar layer, which remains a concern with the on-going storm loading.

Snowpack Summary

Since Thursday, 20-35 cm of storm snow fell on top of 25 cm of previous very low density storm snow. Winds (at times strong from the south west) have modified the snow pack, creating an "upside-down" storm slab layer with stiffer snow on top of softer snow.This upside-down storm snow layer overlies roughly 50 cm of old storm snow from last week that formed into stiff wind slabs in exposed terrain near ridge top, but remains low density in sheltered areas. The mid-December layer is now buried 60-80 cm below the surface. The layer includes crusts on south and west facing slopes and feathery surface hoar in sheltered areas at and below treeline, and has been producing moderate, sudden results in recent snowpack tests.The lower snowpack is generally well settled with a thick prominent crust that was buried near the end of November.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.