Avalanche Forecast
South Columbia
Choose conservative terrain in the coming days as recent storm slab continues to settle and consolidate.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.
- Buried surface hoar may be preserved on open slopes and convex rolls at and below tree line
- Watch for whumpfing, shooting cracks, or signs of recent natural avalanches.
Avalanche Problem 2: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Recent west and northwest winds switching to north and northeast have formed windslabs in the lee of terrain features on a variety of aspects.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.
Avalanche Summary
Reports from the past few days include explosives controlled and natural storm snow avalanches to size 2.5 in the alpine and tree line. There have also been a several reports of skier accidental and skier remote (triggered from a distance) avalanches to size 1.5 at and below tree line. As the new snow settles and consolidates in the coming days expect to see in human triggered avalanche activity continue even as the stormy period ends.
Snowpack Summary
The 40-70cm of new snow accumulating since last Friday now sits on a wide variety of old surfaces including large surface hoar (weak, feather-like crystals), hard crusts formed by sun or wind, and sugary facets. As the snow load builds and slab properties develop, it will be important to monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surfaces. Most concerning would be areas that have seen previous surface hoar development, such as sheltered areas at and below tree line and sheltered northerly aspects in the alpine. Additionally, any steep solar aspects where the surface hoar may be sitting on sun crust should be considered areas where this weak layer may be very likely to trigger.
A crust which was formed by rain in late November is a major feature in the snowpack and is down approximately 70-100cm at tree line elevations. Snowpack tests suggest the snow above is currently bonding well to it.
Snowpack depth decreases rapidly below tree line. Look out for early season hazards such as rocks, stumps, and open creeks.
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY: Cloudy with flurries, accumulation 5cm / wind light to moderate northwest / alpine temperature -9
FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / wind light north / alpine temperature -14
SATURDAY: Mainly sunny / wind moderate northwest / alpine temperature -12
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As the recent new snow continues to settle and consolidate over the next few days, expect it to become more reactive to human triggering where it may be sitting on layer of weak feathery surface hoar.