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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 30th, 2021–Dec 31st, 2021
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Another bitterly cold, clear, calm day on Friday before winds pick up for the weekend. The moderate rating at treeline and below is due steep, unsupported terrain where the Dec. 2 crust and facets may be triggered.

Weather Forecast

Expect temperatures Friday AM to be around -30C with clear skies and light winds. On Saturday winds will really pick up midday and last for the weekend with some warming temperatures. Temperatures and winds drop again for next week.

Snowpack Summary

10-40 cm of snow last week and recent wind from various directions has developed wind slabs in the alpine. There is 50-70 cm over the Dec. 2 crust/facet combo which exists below 2200m, which we are monitoring closely. Shallow areas (<100 cm) have weaker basal facets.

Avalanche Summary

There was a skier triggered size 2 avalanche below treeline in Kootenay today. This may have been on the Dec. 2nd crust/facets. Sunshine ski hill saw a natural wind slab avalanche (size 2) possibly triggered by a cornice. Lake Louise triggered a few size 1.5 and a 2 with explosives that were new wind slabs from winds Wednesday night.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations on Thursday

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Last weeks snow and winds from a variety of directions have created wind slabs in the alpine. Predominantly these are located in the alpine.

  • Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow. Avoid wind loaded terrain.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The Dec. 2 crust/facet layer down 50-70cm is not yet a widespread problem, but a skier triggered avalanche in Kootenay Thursday shows it has started to wake up in some steep, unsupported locations (see avalanche activity).

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2