Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Jan 13 – 14, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Increasing hazard is tied directly to the forecasted warm up.  If it doesn’t warm up until Wednesday, Tuesdays ratings are one level too high. See the forecasters blog for some ideas about the changing situation.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Watch for fresh sensitive wind slabs in immediate lee areas as NW winds pick up throughout the day. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Likely not much of an issue right now, it has the potential to spring back to life with the big forecasted warm up.

Confidence

Poor - Freezing levels are uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Monday:  Mod/Strong W/NW winds at ridgetop.  Freezing level at valley bottom.  No significant snowfall.Tuesday:  Day starts out similar to Monday. Very warm air floats into the region in the afternoon.  Temps may rise above freezing at 2300m.  Little overnight recovery.Wednesday: Some lingering cold air remains in the valleys, temperatures between 1000m & 2500m rise as warm as +5c.

Avalanche Summary

Lot's of slope testing in the Lizard today, no slab releases.  Avalanche activity was limited to loose dry avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

Around 50 cm of storm snow fell in favored locations earlier this week. This snow rests on a myriad of old surfaces (January 4th interface) that include sun crust on steep south and west facing terrain, surface hoar in sheltered locations at treeline and below and facets everywhere else. The bond at this interface has tightened up and gained a lot of strength with the cold temps. Our field team didn't have any failures on this layer in their travels around Harvey Pass Friday.Wind slabs created during and just after last weeks storm have grown old and tired. The midpack is well settled and strong with one or two (location specific) crusts deep in the snowpack. These crust/facets combos are largely dormant, with the only concern being triggering from a shallow snowpack area or with a heavy trigger.

Regions covered