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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 22nd, 2024–Dec 23rd, 2024

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

Regions

Glacier.

Solar radiation alongside abnormally warm air temperatures has been triggering loose avalanches from steep solar features and initiating wind slabs below. Forecasts are uncertain of solar inputs for Monday, so be prepared to adjust your overhead exposure accordingly.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

The sun initiated several loose dry avalanches from steep, rocky features in the alpine. These small avalanches triggered wind slab pockets on the slope below, up to size 2.0

Several natural avalanches up to size 2 were also observed in the highway corridor today from steep, north-facing slopes in the alpine. These avalanches occurred due to a wind spike and 15cm overnight.

Snowpack Summary

A punch from the sun today moistened the snow surface on steep solar aspects. Expect a thin, breakable crust on these features tomorrow. We've received ~70cm of new snow since Dec 18th, which has fallen with moderate Southerly winds. A persistent weak layer is down 80-110cm. This interface is breaking down, but consists of surface hoar in sheltered locations, and a sun crust on solar aspects. The snowpack's base is comprised of several early-season melt-freeze rain crusts

Weather Summary

A series of storms will bring light snowfall and above average temperatures to the region over the next couple days.

Tonight: Snow: 4 cms , Alp low -5°C, Light South wind, Freezing level (FZL) 1300m

Mon: Mix of sun and cloud with 4cm snow, Alp High -4°C, Moderate SW wind, FZL 1500m

Tues: Snow: 8 cm. Alp High -2°C, Strong SW winds, FZL 1400m

Wed: Snow: 5cm. Alp High -8°C. Moderate SW winds. FZL 800m

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • Limit exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.