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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 26th, 2021–Dec 27th, 2021

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal.

Continue to assess the wind slab hazard before committing to steep features. Wind slabs are becoming less reactive but they are still possible, especially near ridge crests.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Sunday night: moderate to strong outflow winds will continue at all elevations with a low of -25 at 900m. No new snow is expected.

Monday: up to 10cm is expected in the morning with light t west winds at treeline. A high of -17 at 900m.

Tuesday: Sunny with a high of -14 at 900m. winds will be light from the north at treeline.

Wednesday: light snow throughout the day with moderate southwest winds at treeline. High of -14 at 900m.

Avalanche Summary

Loose dry avalanches up to size 2 in steep terrain continue to be reported in the region. Two wind slabs up to size 2 were observed at 1200m on southwest aspects on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong outflow winds at all elevations have scoured east aspects and formed wind slab on west aspects.

Another surface hoar layer was buried recently , it is not a problem yet.

The December 18th surface hoar/facet layer is down 30cm, the surface hoar was observed up to 12mm in both the treeline and below . It is likely only a problem in isolated locations in the treeline where wind slab has formed above it.

The December 7 persistent weak layer is now typically down 100cm and has not produced avalanches in over a week.

Snowpack depths vary greatly across the region, expect to find anywhere from 100-300 cm of snow around treeline.

Terrain and Travel

  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.

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.