Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 28th, 2021 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada ldreier, Avalanche Canada

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Moderate southwest wind may build fresh and touchy wind slabs overnight in lee terrain features in the alpine and at treeline. Recent reported loose dry avalanches are still small but grow in size. 

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy, up to 5 cm new snow, light to moderate southwest wind, treeline temperature -5 C.

FRIDAY: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks, up to 3 cm new snow, light southwest wind, treeline temperature -5 C.

SATURDAY: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries, up to 3 cm new snow, light to moderate southwest wind, treeline temperature -8 C.

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and clouds, up to 2 cm new snow, light to moderate southwest wind, treeline temperature -6 C.

Avalanche Summary

Loose dry avalanches (sluffs) in steep alpine and treeline features were observed in the last few days. Artificial triggers (explosives) released small loose dry and slab avalanches in the alpine on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm low density snow have added to the recent snow which has buried surface hoar and other old surfaces. In the alpine, new snow sits on top of layers of hard wind slab, scoured areas, sastrugi and isolated pockets of soft snow. A hard crust is found up to 1800 m.    

A solid mid-pack sits above a deeply buried crust and facet layers near the bottom of the snowpack (150-200 cm deep), which are currently unreactive. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be carefull with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Light to moderate southwest wind Thursday night may form fresh wind slabs in lee terrain features in the alpine and exposed treeline. 

Loose dry avalanches might run longer than expected. 

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 29th, 2021 4:00PM

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