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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 5th, 2023–Dec 6th, 2023

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
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.

Regions

Glacier.

A large natural avalanche cycle is occurring, avoid all avalanche terrain until the storm has passed and the new snow has had time to bond.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A widespread natural avalanche cycle began on Monday and is still ongoing at the time of writing this. Large avalanches up to size 3.5 are showing very wide propagations across terrain features and running far into the runout zones.

Artillery avalanche control is scheduled for Tuesday evening through the hwy corridor.

Snowpack Summary

In the last few days, 45-60cm of new snow has fallen on surface hoar or a thin crust on steep solar aspects. This layer is reactive in snowpack tests and easily triggered by skiers/riders. An additional 25cm are forecast for the next 24hr period.

There is ~130cm of snow at tree line, below average for this time of year. Many early-season hazards still exist at or just below the snow surface.

The base of the snowpack consists of weak, sugary facets in most areas.

Weather Summary

Snowfall with moderate winds will continue overnight into Wednesday as the remnants of the storm move through.

Tonight: Cloudy, 11cm, low -2 °C, winds SW light gusting strong, freezing level 1800m.

Wed: Cloudy 14 cm, high -1 °C, winds W light gusting moderate, freezing level 1800m.

Thurs: Clouds and sun, isolated flurries, trace, low -11 °C, high -7 °C, winds W light, freezing level 1000m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
  • Be carefull with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.