Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 30th, 2017–Dec 31st, 2017

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

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

Regions: Little Yoho.

The ski quality has improved but the chance of triggering large loose dry avalanches has increased. If winds pick up Sunday, climbers should be careful in the bigger, steep gullies in Field.

Weather Forecast

Sunday will be another cold one but there is hope. Monday we will start to see temperatures moderate into the first week of the new year. Winds will be light to moderate turning Westerly and then increasing Monday night. No snow in the immediate forecast.

Snowpack Summary

15-40cm of recent snow overlies a thick layer of facets formed earlier in Dec. Below this the Dec.15 layer of surface hoar (below 2100m) and hard surfaces or facets (depending on location) is down 30-50cm. Below is a generally supportive snow pack with multiple crusts, that is slowly weakening. Some alpine wind slab formation starting to happen.

Avalanche Summary

Human and explosive triggered avalanches observed in the last 48 hours. These avalanches arent yet large in size (1.5) but are running very far, and can drag someone down. Some new small (sz 1-1.5 ) windslabs have been triggered in immediate lees and exposed slopes in the alpine.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Loose Dry

The cold temps have facetted the surface snow, and once initiated these sluffs can pick up mass and travel far. A heads up for big sluffs if you are climbing in the bigger gully features in Field with steep terrain above, or skiing steep lines.

The volume of sluffing could knock you over; choose your climb carefully and belay when exposed.On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Wind Slabs

So far these are small in size as they are just forming, but most wind slabs formed will be lying over facets and may run far.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2