Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 17th, 2023–Dec 19th, 2023

Alpine

Below Threshold.

Treeline

Below Threshold.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Below Threshold.

Treeline

Below Threshold.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Below Threshold.

Treeline

Below Threshold.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Regions

Ghost.

Climbers should be aware of windslabs along and above routes. Even small avalanches can have large consequences in gullied terrain or if an avalanche occurs while climbing.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new natural or climber triggered avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Windslabs dominate the landscape in this region with drummy hollow slabs the norm. These slabs are either overlying weak facetted bases or a rain crust at lower elevations. When the new snow falls later in the week watch for thin new windslabs building overlying the previous layers.

Weather Summary

Winds continue in the moderate to strong range. No new snow in the forecast and warmer temps are here.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Small avalanches may cause climbers to fall or belayers and gear to become buried.
Ice climbers should be equipped with avalanche safety gear.

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.