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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 10th, 2012–Dec 11th, 2012

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

Regions

South Rockies.

Confidence

Poor - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

Monday night: Expect winds of up to 70 km/h from the W and light snow overnight. Alpine temp -10.Tuesday: Strong to gale W winds. Alpine temp -10. Light snow. Freezing level 900 m, dropping to surface overnight.Wednesday: Light winds. Alpine temp -9. Freezing level around 1000 m. Light to moderate snow.Thursday: Light to moderate SW winds. Alpine temp -13. Freezing level 400 m. No snow.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous size 1 sluffs and shallow natural wind slabs were observed on Sunday in the southern Elk Valley.

Snowpack Summary

Recent dry snow has been transported by strong NW winds, creating wind slabs in some areas. Loose snow spilling onto fans has created localized loading. A buried rain crust extends to about 1800 -2000 m. A layer of surface hoar buried about 1 m down seems most prevalent on the west side of the region. At the base of the snowpack an early November crust/facet layer remains a concern. Recent tests have shown sudden results at this interface. In general, snowpack observations are sparse in this region and significant variations are likely to exist from one drainage to another. Digging down and making your own observations will be critical to safe slope selection. Any observations from the field are welcome at [email protected].

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

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.