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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 23rd, 2021–Dec 24th, 2021

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 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.

Reports of reactive wind slabs and power sluffing in steep areas. This should improve as we go into the deep freeze over the Christmas period, but may take a couple of days. Great ski quality where there hasn't been wind.

Weather Forecast

The forecast Friday is for decreasing wind speed, 5cm of snow, and temperatures between -10 and -15C. The following days will consist of decreasing temperatures as we go into the deep freeze, with -30C or lower forecast after Christmas.

Snowpack Summary

20-40cm over the last 48 hours with strong winds have created windslabs at treeline and above. There is 70-110cm over the Dec 2 rain crust which exists below 2200 but is not yet active. We are watching this layer very closely.

Avalanche Summary

Both SSV and LL ski area report thin windslab formation from strong winds Tues & Wed, up to size 1.5.  Some audible avalanches were heard in the alpine on Mt. Field Thursday, but visibility was poor. Other ski cut wind slabs and dry loose were noted in Kootenay out of steep terrain similar to that in Little Yoho.

Confidence

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.

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.