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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 18th, 2024–Dec 19th, 2024

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

Lizard-Flathead, Flathead, Lizard.

Allow time for the snowpack to stabilize after recent snow and wind loading

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Natural avalanches have likely been occurring on Wednesday, particularly in areas with more than 30 cm of new snow and on wind-loaded slopes.

At the time of publishing, we have not received any reports of avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

As much as 40 cm of new snow has fallen since Tuesday night. Deeper deposits of snow have likely formed in lee-facing terrain features at upper elevations from recent southwest winds.

A surface hoar layer exists, down roughly 50 to 80 cm from the surface. While its distribution is uncertain, it has the potential to become reactive as a slab forms above it.

Treeline snow depths range from 120 to 180 cm.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level climbing to 2200 m.

Saturday

Sunny. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.

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.