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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 23rd, 2023–Dec 24th, 2023

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

Regions

Glacier.

Fresh snow and wind have created a new storm slab, human triggered avalanches are possible!

A weak layer of surface hoar is still buried within the range for human triggered avalanches.

We're entering one of the busiest times at Roger's Pass, be aware of groups above or below you!

Confidence

No Rating

Avalanche Summary

Warm temps, rapid loading and strong winds triggered a natural avalanche cycle. Evidence of several loose dry avalanches and a few slabs from steep terrain were observed on a flight over.

A human triggered avalanche occurred on Video peak late Saturday with 3 in the group involved but not injured.

Last week there were a number of significant human-triggered avalanches failing on the Dec 1st surface hoar layer. The most notable avalanches occurred on Balu Pk & Ursus Minor.

Snowpack Summary

15-25 cms of new snow has fallen over the last few days with wind creating wind slabs at ridgetop. Below 1800m 10-15cm of snow sits on a breakable rain crust.

The Dec 1 surface hoar, down 50-100cm, continues to produce 'sudden' results in tests and has been the culprit in several recent close calls from skier-triggered avalanches.

Below 2100m, a rain crust is buried 40-50cm deep. In shallow areas the base of the snowpack is faceted and unsupportive.

Weather Summary

High pressure will set in over the region. We'll have clearing skies and falling temps.

Tonight: Clear skies, wind: South - light, Freezing level (Fz lvl) at valley bottom

Sunday: Mixed sun/cloud, Temp: High -7°C, Wind: Southwest 20km/hr. Fz lvl 800m

Monday: Cloudy with sunny periods, Temp: High , South 20km/hr wind. Fz lvl 1100m

Tuesday: Cloudy with sunny periods, 10-15cm snow, Alpine high -3°C, Wind south: 20-40

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.