Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 25th, 2012–Dec 26th, 2012

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Little Yoho.

Generally stable avalanche conditions; however, it is still early season and many alpine features still contain many thin/ weak spots. Watch out for isolated wind effect in the alpine. Merry Christmas! IJ

Weather Forecast

Cold temperatures, light winds and little snow will prevail in the forecast period. Temps will be in the -10 to -15 range, with a few flurries and overcast skies on Wed., followed by a clearing trend for Thurs. and Friday.

Snowpack Summary

A storm on December 23 dropped between 15 to 30 cm of low density snow over the forecast region. Generally very little wind effect in storm snow, but some soft slabs have developed near ridge tops. The Nov. rain crust is breaking down but still identifiable in the bottom third of the pack. This layer is producing hard to no shears.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed today.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

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.