Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 18th, 2013 9:34AM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs, Loose Wet and Persistent Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeSummary
Confidence
Fair - Due to variable snowpack conditions
Weather Forecast
Only trace amounts of new snow (possibly higher amounts on Monday in the North) are expected for the forecast period. Winds should remain mainly light to moderate from the southwest with freezing levels hovering between 800-900m.
Avalanche Summary
Due to inclement weather observations have been very limited; however, numerous moist or wet snow avalanches to size 2.5 were reported from the region on all aspects at treeline and below. On Thursday numerous avalanches ran to size 3.5 in the north of the region where recent snow accumulations were the highest. They occurred in response to heavy snowfall and strong to extreme winds.
Snowpack Summary
Rain below treeline has maintained moist snow at lower elevations, although a nightly crust recovery is likely with forecast clear skies. Light amounts of new snow (moderate to heavy amounts in the north) exist as new storm slabs and windslabs at treeline and above. A persistent weakness of surface hoar or facetted snow buried at the end of December sits below all of the more recent storm snow and is still on the radar of professionals in the area. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong, although well developed basal facets remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 19th, 2013 2:00PM