Avalanche Forecast
South Rockies
The sun can pack a punch this time of year. Be aware of signs of deteriorating stability such as snow pin-wheeling down slopes or small point-release avalanching below cliffs.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Watch for newly formed wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.
Avalanche Problem 2: Deep Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Deeply buried weak layers are lingering near the base of the snowpack. These layers are most likely to be triggered from thin or variable snowpack areas or with a large load like a cornice fall.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack
- Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported in this region.
Snowpack Summary
Accumulated storm snow from last week totals 25-40cm. This new snow covers previously wind-scoured, westerly slopes and old hard and soft wind slabs on leeward, easterly alpine and treeline slopes. Beneath these old wind slabs lies a well-settled mid-pack. The lower snowpack is generally weak with two primary concerns that are widespread:
- A weak layer from mid-December composed of facets, crusts, and surface hoar that is 100-150 cm deep.
- A rain crust with sugary facets buried in late November near the bottom of the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light to moderate southwesterly ridgetop winds / Alpine high of -7 with an above freezing layer of air between 1400-1600 m in some areas of the region.
THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy / Light to moderate southwesterly ridgetop winds / Alpine high of -4 with an above freezing layer of air between 1100-1600 m in some areas of the region.
FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light westerly ridgetop winds / Freezing level rising to around 1600m.
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Wind slabs are becoming less likely to human trigger. Steep, convex, and rocky areas are the most likely spots to trigger these lingering winds slabs.