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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 28th, 2019–Dec 29th, 2019

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

Regions

Little Yoho.

Keep to low angled terrain and avoid exposure to large overhead features. While ski tracks are starting to push out, there is a great deal of uncertainty with the recently overloaded weak layers at the base of the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

After a clear, chilly overnight period, warm air entered the region today creating mild inversions. Expect an alpine high of -4 for Sunday, again with the potential for inversions, as cloud cover increases and winds diminish. Cloud cover will increase Monday as winds return and snowfall becomes possible late in the day.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to Strong W and SW winds have redistributed snow in the alpine and the upper areas of treeline. Snowpack depths at treeline range from 100 to 160cm. The Nov crust is found ~ 30cm above the ground and is present up to 2500m. The weak facets sitting above this crust are an obvious weakness and are more developed in shallow areas.

Avalanche Summary

Recent reports of skier triggered avalanches within the region and reports of whumphfing on the deep persistent layer have continued in the last 24 hrs. Explosive avalanche control at local ski areas today produced a few sz 1 to 2 windslabs in steep, wind loaded areas as has been seen over the last few days.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

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.