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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 21st, 2016–Dec 22nd, 2016

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

Regions

Glacier.

Don't let lowering danger ratings fool you. Natural avalanche activity will decrease but human triggering is still likely. Conservative terrain selection and safe travel practices (ie ski one at a time and choose safe regroups) are strongly advised.

Weather Forecast

The brunt of the storms have passed. Today should be cloudy with possible sunny breaks. Moderate to strong SW winds will continue to transport snow, adding to windslabs and cornices. Thurs a weak storm will bring ~5cm of snow with strong SW winds. On Fri, flurries will taper off and we may see some sun as another cold, high pressure system develops

Snowpack Summary

~80cm of storm snow is settling into a slab and in exposed areas strong S'ly winds have formed windslabs. These new slabs sit on the Dec 18th interface: facets and in some areas surface hoar. All of this sits on a weak, facetted snowpack. Field teams reported shooting cracks and tests on the Dec 18th layer indicate that it is touchy.

Avalanche Summary

Yesterday a skier was partially buried by a skier accidental size 1 avalanche in the Asulkan. It was 30-50cm deep and failed on the Dec 18th (see their MIN). They also remotely triggered a size 1.5 on a SW aspect. Numerous natural avalanches, mostly size 2.5 but a few size 3, were observed from steep, lee start zones, running to valley bottom.

Confidence

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.

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.

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.