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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 23rd, 2015–Dec 24th, 2015

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

Regions

South Columbia.

Low Danger does not mean No Danger. Make observations continually as you travel.

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

Expect mainly a mix of sun and cloud for the forecast period, although clear skies may develop for Christmas day. Ridgetop winds should remain mainly light. Alpine temperatures should measure about -15 on Thursday, and then drop to about -20 on Friday and Saturday.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

At higher elevations, 10-50cm of low-density snow overlies generally stubborn wind slabs which formed last weekend. The reports we've received suggest a good bond within the storm layers in the upper snowpack. I'd still remain cautious in upper elevation lee terrain where these buried wind slabs may still be sensitive to human triggering. Between 80 and 130cm below the surface you'll likely find a weak layer surface hoar which was buried in early December. This layer is most widespread at lower elevations (between 1400m and 1800m.) Field reports indicate triggering this layer has become unlikely. That said, if it does fail the overlying slab is stiff enough to propagate over a wide distance. Below this layer, the snowpack is thought to be generally strong and well-settled.

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.