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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 4th, 2019–Dec 5th, 2019

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

South Rockies.

Caution as you transition into wind-exposed terrain. Avalanches are possible on alpine features where wind slabs have formed.

Confidence

Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday night: Decreasing clouds, isolated flurries with a trace of accumulation, light to moderate southwest winds, alpine temperature -8 C

Thursday: Mix of sun and cloud, isolated flurries with a trace of accumulation, light southwest winds, alpine high temperature -3 C, freezing level around 1200 m.

Friday: Mix of sun and cloud, isolated flurries with a trace of accumulation, moderate southwest winds, alpine high temperature -2 C, freezing level around 1700 m.

Saturday: Cloudy with periods of sun and snow with 4-8 cm possible, moderate southwest winds, alpine high temperature -2 C, freezing level dropping from around 1700 m

Avalanche Summary

There have been no recent avalanches reported in the region. If you are getting out into the mountains, let us know what you see by posting to the Mountain Information Network!

Snowpack Summary

Ongoing strong westerly winds have likely been creating wind slabs at upper elevations on lee terrain features. Snowpack depths are highly variable this early in the season with amounts ranging between 50-100 cm at higher elevations, and tapering rapidly below treeline (check out this MIN report from Imperial Ridge). A crust has been reported in the middle of the snowpack.

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.