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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 29th, 2024–Dec 30th, 2024

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

Regions

Glacier.

Incremental loading- it adds up!

With over 60cm of unconsolidated snow over the past week, expect loose avalanches in steep terrain and some sneaky slabs in wind exposed areas.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

The sun poked out today and triggered a loose dry cycle up to size 2 from steep, south-facing features. Falling tree bombs were also prolific!

Reports continue to trickle in of wind effect, shooting cracks, and isolated avalanches in steep open terrain at upper elevations.

There was a size 2 skier triggered wind slab below the Asulkan hut on Thursday afternoon. The slab was 30-50cms deep and 40m wide.

Snowpack Summary

Incremental loading each day this past week has accumulated to over 60cm of new snow. This new snow fell with moderate SW winds at times, which built soft slabs in wind prone areas

Overall, the snowpack is strong with a well consolidated mid-pack. A notable layer is down 90-120cm. This interface has been dormant for weeks, but consists of surface hoar in sheltered locations, and a sun crust on solar aspects. The snowpack's base is comprised of several early-season rain crusts

Weather Summary

Low pressure to our south and building high pressure to the north will mean mainly cloudy skies and cooling temps for our region over the next few days

Tonight Mainly cloudy. No precip. Alpine Low -8°C, freezing level (FZL) lowering to valley bottom. Light NE ridgetop wind

Mon Mainly cloudy, trace of snow. Alpine High -7 °C, FZL 1100m. Light NW wind

Tues Mainly cloudy, trace snow. Alpine High -10 °C FZL 800m. Light W wind

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Loose avalanches may start small, but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Problems

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.

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.