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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 4th, 2013–Dec 5th, 2013

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

Regions

Northwest Inland.

This forecast is based on limited field observations. If you head into the mountains, please send a note to [email protected] and let us know what you saw.

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud. Treeline temperatures are around -10 to -15 with moderate northeasterly alpine winds. Friday and Saturday: Sunny and cold. Treeline temperatures are around -15 to -20. Alpine winds are likely to be strong from the North-Northeast.

Avalanche Summary

Several wind slab avalanches up to Size 2 were observed just below ridge crests between 1500m and 1800m in the Ashman Ridge area last Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

Around 40 cm of recent storm snow may still need some time to bond to the previous snow surface. Northerly outflow winds are likely forming fresh wind slabs in exposed lee terrain and scouring windward terrain. Below approximately 1000m surface hoar is growing on sheltered slopes, while surface snow on steep sun-exposed slopes is becoming moist with daytime warming. Average snowpack depths near treeline are variable but around a metre with the bottom half being a crust below 1200m elevation.

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.