Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 23rd, 2014–Jan 24th, 2014

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Glacier.

A strong inversion is building, so be aware that avalanche start zones will be heating up while you're cold in the valley.

Weather Forecast

A strong ridge has established itself over the region. We should see no precipitation over the next few days and a strong inversion develop, with the alpine being 3-5*C warmer than valley bottoms. Winds will be light from the N/NW.

Snowpack Summary

Yesterday's dusting hides a sun crust on steep south and west aspects, and a hard windslab in almost all alpine and tree-line areas. The mid-pack is well settled. The Nov surface hoar, down 180cm, has spotty distribution. The basal layers are generally facetted and weaker than the rest of the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Several loose surface sluffing to size 1.0 were observed from steeper (>35 degree) slopes on all aspects in the Fidelity area. Along the highway corridor, thin soft slabs to size 2 were noted from steep, N and S-facing, rocky start zones.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Thin soft slabs now hide either hard windslab or suncrust. They may not be bonded well, and could be a concern in steep terrain where a slip/fall has a significant consequence (ie cliffs).

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Cornices

Beware the overhanging cheeseburgers along the ridgetops! If this inversion becomes as strong as forecasted, we may not see alpine temp's drop overnight, creating unstable cornices heating up in the afternoon sun.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The November persistent weak layer will need a large load to trigger it, like a cornice. The isolated nature of its distribution makes it hard to forecast for this layer.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 3 - 4