Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 28th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.
CG,
Avalanche Canada
With elevated temperatures comes rising danger levels. Warmth has mushed and smooshed the snow surface into sticky, sloppy mashed potatoes.
While the heat messes with our snowpack, it is best to choose conservative objectives. I might suggest checking out the local groomed options at a ski hill!
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
A very productive natural avalanche cycle Sunday morning saw numerous highway-facing paths with new avalanches from sz 2 to 4, failing in the storm snow and digging/gouging into deeper faceted layers at lower elevations.
In the backcountry, numerous pinwheeling and wet/loose avalanches to sz 2.5 were observed at Tree-line and below, gouging deep into the slope in confined gullies.
Anything over 35° with an artificial trigger (human) was avalanching today.
Snowpack Summary
Warmth, new snow, and wind have created widespread 20-40cm storm slabs. Currently these slabs are reactive at all elevations.
A sun crust (Jan 3), down 60-80cm, can be found at and below Tree-line on S-SW aspects. Today's avalanche cycle saw storm slabs stepping down onto this layer.
The Dec 1 surface hoar layer is down ~120cm and is decomposing.
Weather Summary
A SW flow from the Pacific is bringing WARM temps, winds, and minor amounts of moisture.
Tonight: clouds with flurries, Alpine low 0°C. Moderate SW ridgetop winds. Freezing level (FZL) 1900m
Mon: Scattered showers. High 4°C. Mod/strong S winds. FZL 3100m.
Tues: Flurries. 5cm. High 2°C. Gusty mod/strong S winds. FZL 3000m.
Wed: Sun and cloud. High 4°C. Mod gusty S winds. FZL 2700m.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.
Problems
Storm Slabs
20+cm overnight and warm temps have created a heavy, moist storm slab that is reactive at all elevations on unsupported rolls and cross-loaded features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Expect loose snow avalanches in steep terrain as freezing levels continue to rise.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 29th, 2024 4:00PM
