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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 24th, 2023–Dec 25th, 2023

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

Regions

Glacier.

We're entering one of the busiest times at Rogers Pass, so please be aware of groups above or below you!

Surface wind slabs and folks engorged with Holiday food have the potential to dig down to a deeper weak layer, creating large avalanches. Stick to supported terrain (and the veggie platter) to manage this hazard.

Happy Holidays!

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Warm temps, rapid loading and strong winds triggered a natural avalanche cycle. Evidence of several loose dry avalanches and a few slabs from steep terrain were observed on a flight over.

A human triggered avalanche occurred on Video peak late Saturday with 3 in the group involved but not injured.

Last week there were a number of significant human-triggered avalanches failing on the Dec 1st surface hoar layer. The most notable avalanches occurred on Balu Pk & Ursus Minor.

Snowpack Summary

15-25 cms of new snow has fallen over the last few days with wind creating wind slabs at ridgetop. Below 1800m 10-15cm of snow sits on a breakable rain crust.

The Dec 1 surface hoar, down 50-100cm, continues to produce 'sudden' results in tests and has been the culprit in several recent close calls from skier-triggered avalanches.

Below 2100m, a rain crust is buried 40-50cm deep. In shallow areas the base of the snowpack is faceted and unsupportive.

Weather Summary

Clear flying for Santa tonight, with the gift of sunshine being spread across the land.

Tonight: Clear skies, Alp low -9°C, light SW winds, freezing level (fzl) at valley bottom

Monday: Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace snow, Alp high -4°C, Temp: High , light S winds, fzl rising to 1400m midday.

Tuesday: Flurries, 10-15cm, Alp high -3°C, light/moderate SW winds, 1600m fzl

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.