Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 9th, 2013–Jan 10th, 2013

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

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

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.

Confidence

Fair - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Moderate NW winds. Alpine temperature near -7. No snow.Friday: Moderate SW wind. Alpine temperature near -5. 5 cm snow, late in the day.Saturday: Light W wind. Alpine temperature near -9. Around 5 cm snow.

Avalanche Summary

Snowmobilers witnessed naturally-triggered slabs and loose dry sluffs in the Seaton Basin on Monday. We have had no reports from anyone in the field since then. Please tell us what you're seeing at [email protected]

Snowpack Summary

Light amounts of snow are sitting over a weak, faceted old snow surface, which is causing loose dry sluffing in steep terrain. In wind-affected areas, wind slabs have formed behind terrain breaks such as ridges and ribs. A strong mid-pack overlies a weak base layer of facets and the remnants of a crust.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Be alert for new wind slabs behind terrain breaks such as ridges, ribs and gully walls.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

A deeply buried facet/crust weakness exists near the base of the snowpack. This layer could be triggered by large loads such as a cornice collapse or from a thin-spot trigger point.

Avoid thin, rocky or sparsely-treed slopes.>Be aware of thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilites.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 5