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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 9th, 2015–Jan 10th, 2015
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
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

Regions: Northwest Inland.

The weather pattern is fairly stable but watch for thin fresh wind slabs and lingering hard wind slabs in wind exposed terrain.

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: There’s a chance of flurries tonight and Saturday morning as a weak frontal system brushes the Northwest. We should see a drying trend on Saturday and a mix of sun and cloud throughout the weekend. The freezing level remains at valley bottom and ridge winds are generally light from the SW. We could see increasing cloud on Monday as another Pacific system approaches. This could bring moderate precipitation, but it’s arrival looks more likely on Monday night or Tuesday.

Avalanche Summary

There are no new reports of natural avalanches. On Wednesday, a natural size 2 storm slab was reported in the south of the region and isolated natural wind slabs from steep terrain to size 1.5 were reported in the north of the region.

Snowpack Summary

A thin melt-freeze crust now covers the 40-80 cm of recent storm snow up to at least treeline. Strong and variable winds may have created soft or stiff wind slabs on a variety of aspects in exposed terrain. Below the storm snow may be a rain crust at lower elevations. In the mid-pack you may find a surface hoar layer, although it appears to be spotty in distribution. Near the bottom of the snowpack is a crust facet combo that was buried in mid-November.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong and variable winds have created dense wind slabs in exposed lee terrain and may have cross-loaded gully features.
Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Heavy triggers like cornice falls or smaller avalanches have the potential to trigger one of the deeper persistent weak layers. These layers were most reactive in the north of the region recently.
Use caution around convexities, ridge crests, rock outcroppings and anywhere else with a thin or variable snowpack.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 6