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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 27th, 2023–Dec 28th, 2023

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

Wind slabs exist in the alpine. If triggered, these may step down to the persistent weak layer.

Good quality riding can be found at higher elevations, but take your time on the descent through the trees or valley bottom exits, it is still quite rugged with a below-average snowpack.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A team triggered several explosive controlled avalanches in steep north facing terrain at treeline on Wed. Avalanches were small and triggered soft wind slabs up to 40cm deep.

No new natural avalanches have been observed since Dec 23rd.

A human-triggered avalanche occurred on Video peak Saturday afternoon involving a group of 3, no injuries reported.

Recently significant human-triggered avalanches failing on the Dec 1st surface hoar layer: Balu Pk & Ursus Minor.

Snowpack Summary

Expect wind slabs in the alpine and lee features at treeline from recent moderate winds. Sheltered terrain holds loose dry snow.

Below 1800m 10-15cm of snow sits on breakable crust from recent warm temps.

Below 2100 m there is a supportive rain crust down 40-60cm.

The Dec 1 surface hoar is down 60-100cm. Which continues to give 'sudden' test results, and caused some close calls for skiers last week.

In shallow areas, the base of the snowpack is faceted and unsupportive.

Weather Summary

A ridge of high pressure continues to block any significant snowfall from reaching our region through Saturday. Freezing levels remain elevated.

Tonight: Cloudy, isolated flurries. Alp Low -5 °C. Mod South ridgetop winds.

Thurs: Flurries. High -3 °C. Freezing level (Fzl) 1600m. Moderate S wind.

Fri: Sunny periods. Low -3 °C, High 0 °C. Fzl 1800m. Light S winds.

Sat: Cloudy. High 3 °C. Fzl 1700m. Light S winds.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Avoid convexities, steep unsupported terrain and rocky outcroppings.

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.

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.