Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 15th, 2021–Dec 16th, 2021

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.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Regions

South Coast.

Shifting wind directions on Thursday may form fresh wind slabs on numerous aspects.

 Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain. 

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy / Light, southerly winds / Low of -3 C / Freezing level 500 m.

THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Moderate, northwesterly winds / High of 1 C / Freezing level 600 m.

FRIDAY: Increasing cloudiness / Light, westerly winds / High of -1 C / Freezing level 500 m.

SATURDAY: Snow/rain; 65-75 mm / Extreme, southwesterly winds / High of 3 C / Freezing level 1300 m.

Avalanche Summary

Small (size 1) rider triggered wind slabs were reported in this region on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

Shifting wind directions on Thursday may form fresh wind slabs on numerous aspects.

30-40 cm of recent snow has buried the early December crust layers. The snowpack is generally well-settled and strong below these layers. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • Avoid terrain traps where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.

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.