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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 20th, 2015–Dec 21st, 2015

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

Kootenay Boundary.

Wind slabs in exposed areas and buried surface hoar in sheltered areas. Back off into simple terrain if you encounter signs of instability, like cracking or whumpfing.

Confidence

Moderate - Track of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

A series of frontal systems is expected over the next three days, bringing light to moderate snow and moderate to strong SW ridge top winds. The freezing level stays near 800 m. Late on Wednesday an arctic ridge starts to build. Snowfall in the south (less in the north): Monday 5-10cm; Tuesday 10 cm; Wednesday 2-5 cm.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 35 cm of new snow now covers the mid-December surface hoar. This surface hoar can be found on all aspects in protected areas. It is variably reactive, showing propagation likelihood around Kootenay Pass. It may become quite touchy as soon as a slab develops above it. Moderate winds out of the S/SW have recently formed fresh wind slabs on lee features. A few different crusts can be found in the upper meter of the snowpack as high as 2400m. At treeline elevation the early December crust, down 30-70 cm, is thick and supportive, and may be capping deeper weaknesses. Check out the latest conditions video at: https://bit.ly/1S2DbYb

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.