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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 9th, 2022–Dec 10th, 2022

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

Regions

Glacier.

~45cm of low-density storm snow is making for some quality skiing and riding! Don't let the powdery conditions obscure your avalanche awareness.

Fresh slabs will remain reactive through the weekend. Adding to that, the weak layer from Nov. 17th persists as a major concern in isolated areas that have not seen previous heavy traffic or avalanche activity. If you don't know the history of a steep open slope, leave it for another time.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, there was a cycle of loose dry avalanches, up to size 2 from the steep terrain in the Eastern highway corridor, and one size 3.0 storm slab from MacDonald gully number 9.

On Thursday, a field team triggered a small storm slab on a small slope, from an E aspect at treeline.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 45cm of low-density storm snow will form slabs quickly as the winds increase. This new snow sits on a slippery layer from Dec 5th, consisting of surface hoar, preserved stellars, facets and a thin suncrust.

The Nov 17th Surface Hoar is now buried 60-90cm below the surface. This layer continues to produce tree rattling whumpfs, as well as sudden snowpack test results, in untravelled clearings at and just below treeline.

Weather Summary

Saturday will be mainly cloudy with flurries, moderate to strong South wind at ridge top, an alpine high of -6*C, and freezing levels up to 1300m.

Sunday will be similar, with light winds and a few more sunny breaks as a ridge of high pressure sets up over the area.

Next week will start with a stable weather pattern - sunny periods, light winds, and seasonal temps.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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.

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.

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.