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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 5th, 2019–Dec 6th, 2019

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

Regions

Little Yoho.

The hazard will be directly related to storm snow totals over the next two days. We haven't listed it as a "problem" yet, but the deep persistent facets and depth hoar are growing weaker, and isolated avalanches could step down to these layers.

Weather Forecast

Another system is forecast to bring snow to the region on Friday and Saturday. Amounts are still uncertain but there could be anywhere from 10-40cm in the region. There will be an increase in SW winds at upper elevations and temperatures will begin to rise.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 30cm of new snow accompanied by moderate to strong SW winds have created fresh wind slabs on lees slopes at treeline and above. The midpack consists of 25-35 cm of facetted snow overtop of the Nov 8 crust. The lower snowpack consists of facets and depth hoar. Snowpack depths at treeline vary from 60-100 cm with up to 140 cm in lee areas

Avalanche Summary

There have been many avalanches in the alpine to size 2.5 over the last 24 hours. These have been primarily wind slabs in the new snow with isolated avalanches stepping deeper into the facets.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Friday

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.