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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 13th, 2014–Dec 14th, 2014

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

Regions

Little Yoho.

With blue skies in the forecast, it is important to remember that the base of our snowpack is still very weak. Stick to well supported, moderate angled terrain in the alpine. Ice climbers should also watch for the effects of solar heating above them.

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure is building that will persist through Tuesday. Light winds, cooler temperatures and clear skies will be the norm for the next few days. Watch for some intense solar effect on steep south facing terrain.

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine a few cm`s of new snow overlies widespread wind slabs created by recent strong SW winds. At treeline and above, mild temperatures have helped strengthened the upper snowpack but the basal rain crust/facets remain weak. Below treeline a rain crust is present and the moist snow is gaining strength rapidly with the cooler temps.

Avalanche Summary

A few explosive triggered avalanches up to size 2 were observed at Sunshine Village today failing on the basal crust/facet combination. No new natural avalanches were observed today.

Confidence

Due to the quality of field observations

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

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.