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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 22nd, 2012–Dec 23rd, 2012

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain

Weather Forecast

A Southern flow with embedded troughs will continue to dominate the region through Monday, bringing additional snowfall amounts. A weak ridge develops Monday showing dryer conditions throughout the day.Saturday night into Sunday: Snow amounts 5-10 cm overnight with an additional 5-10 cm tomorrow, ridgetop winds light from the SW, alpine temperatures near -6. Monday: Light snowfall amounts in the morning, ridgetop winds light from the SE, and alpine temperatures near -4.Christmas Day: Mainly dry with possible sunny breaks, ridgetop winds light from the South, and alpine temperatures -10.

Avalanche Summary

Explosive testing on Friday showed numerous size 1.0-2.0 slab avalanches on N-NW aspects 2000 m and above. Several natural size 1.0 loose snow avalanches occurred from steeper terrain features.

Snowpack Summary

Around 110 cm new snow has fallen in the last week. Consistent, moderate SW winds have been retributing the new snow onto lee slopes and behind terrain features. In areas of wind effect, expect the storm slab to be stiffer, easy to trigger and more reactive. In most places the slab is still relatively unconsolidated and soft and it is not propagating far. Expect heavy sluffing in steep terrain. Large sluffs may be able to push you around; beware of terrain traps. Below the storm snow sits a well settled mid-pack that has not been showing shears in snow profile tests.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.