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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 5th, 2022–Jan 6th, 2022
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Northwest Inland.

The upper snowpack is heavily wind effected. Seek out sheltered terrain at treeline and below where you can avoid wind slabs and find good riding.

Days are short and temperatures are cold! Keep your objectives conservative and close to home.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations. Uncertainty is due to the extreme variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday Overnight: Partially cloudy, light to moderate southeast winds. Alpine temperatures around -32 C.

Thursday: Partially cloudy with light flurries. Light to moderate southeast winds. Alpine temperatures around -30 C.

Friday: Partially cloudy with light flurries. Alpine temperatures rising to -25 C. Light to moderate northwest winds.

Saturday: Mainly cloudy with flurries, up to 5 cm accumulation. Alpine temperatures around -25 C with strong to extreme southwest winds. 

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed in the past 24 hours. 

If you are out in the mountains, let us know what you see by filling out a Mountain Information Network report! ?

Snowpack Summary

Easterly winds may continue to form reactive wind slabs on lee features at all elevations.

Recently formed wind slabs are most likely to be found on south and westerly aspects, but older wind slabs may be found on all aspects. Recently formed wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers for longer than is typical due to the weak facets (sugary snow) they are sitting on.

The base of the snowpack is composed of crusts and weak faceted grains, particularly in thin snowpack areas. These deeply buried weak layers will create large, destructive avalanches if triggered.

Avoid likely trigger spots such as steep, rocky slopes, with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be aware of highly variable recent wind loading patterns.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent strong northeasterly winds have likely formed wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above.

These wind slabs are most likely to be found on south and westerly aspects, but older wind slabs may be found on all aspects.

These wind slabs may remain reactive for longer than is typical because they are sitting on weak facets (sugary snow).

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5