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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 22nd, 2021–Dec 23rd, 2021

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

Regions

North Rockies.

Avoid avalanche terrain in the South of the region and any other area that receives more then 25cm of new snow. Wind and snowfall amounts vary greatly around the region.

Confidence

Low - Uncertainty is due to the track & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday night: No new snow is expected in the North of the region. Winds will be moderate from the North with a low of -16 at 1300m. The South will see as much as 40cm of new snow with strong Southwest winds and a low of -9 at 1300m.

Thursday: some light flurries with light winds from the Northwest. High of -16 at 1300m.

Friday: no new snow expected. Light to moderate winds from the North in the morning and from the East in the afternoon. A high of -21 at 1300m.

Saturday: some light flurries with moderate to strong East winds and temperatures steady around -27 at 1300m.

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday our field team observed 2 size 1.5 natural wind slabs releasing from steep start zones in the treeline as well as several loose dry avalanches in similar terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Storm slabs will likely be found in the Southern part of the Forecast region, especially in the Renshaw area.

Wind direction has varied over the last few days. Wind slab could exist on all aspects as a result. 

 

A new surface hoar layer up to size 4 has just been buried.

Snowpack depth at treeline typically ranges from 50-250 cm, with the shallower value mainly on the eastern side of the range. The alpine snowpack typically ranges from 150-250 cm.

Terrain and Travel

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.

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.