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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 11th, 2022–Dec 12th, 2022
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
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

Regions: Glacier.

The recent low-density storm snow is settling out and showing increasing signs of slab properties. There is uncertainty that surrounds the persistent layers and when/if they will exhibit wide propagations. Assess the snowpack carefully before stepping out into committing terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several loose dry avalanches up to size 2 from steep, rocky North facing terrain off Mt MacDonald.

Reports continue of small, unsupported pockets of soft slab failing on Dec 5 and Nov 17, mainly occurring around treeline.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 40cm of settled snow now buries the Dec 5 layer, which consists of surface hoar, preserved stellars, facets, and a thin sun crust on steeper solar aspects.

The Nov 17th Surface Hoar is now buried 60-90cm and continues to produce sudden results in snowpack tests.

Weather Summary

A low-pressure system moves out of the region as a ridge of high pressure sets up, which brings mainly sunny skies and light ridgetop winds. Alpine temps will range from -10 to -5.

Sunny skies, warming temps, and light winds for the week.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

The Nov 17 and Dec 5 surface hoar are down ~75cm and ~35cm respectively, and most prevalent around tree line. These layers of surface hoar continue to give 'sudden' results in snowpack tests, and produce dramatic whumpfs in previously untraveled open glades.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Wind Slabs

45cm of recent low density snow is available for transport by the moderate South winds. Watch for slab formation in the alpine and down into open areas at treeline.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2