Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 28th, 2024–Jan 29th, 2024
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

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!

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.

Avalanche 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: Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3

Loose Wet

Expect loose snow avalanches in steep terrain as freezing levels continue to rise.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5