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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 25th, 2020–Jan 26th, 2020

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Lizard-Flathead.

Areas where you can trigger an avalanche on Sunday are specific to where the wind has drifted the recent snow at higher elevations. Stay alert and monitor for these conditions if travelling in these areas.

Confidence

Moderate - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern; little change is expected for several days.

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: Mostly cloudy, a trace of new snow, light southwest winds, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level dropping to valley bottom.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, a trace of new snow, light southwest winds, alpine high temperature -2 C, freezing level around 1400 m.

Monday: Mostly cloudy, trace of new snow. light to moderate southwest winds, alpine high temperature -3 C, freezing level around 1200 m.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, a trace of new snow, light southwest winds, alpine high temperature -2 C, freezing level around 1300 m.

Avalanche Summary

Over the past 48 hours, there have been reports of numerous natural avalanches up to size 2.5 breaking in the new storm snow, specifically on northeast aspects in the alpine. 

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm of recent snow and moderate southwest winds have formed wind slabs in exposed areas on leeward aspects at and above treeline. This combination has also contributed to cornice growth, increasing the need for vigilance of overhead hazard. A temperature crust formed Friday at least as high as 1600 m.

The stout upper snowpack continues to settle in mild temperatures. Several crust layers exist in the mid snowpack as a result of previous warming and rain events. These have not been identified as bed surfaces or failure planes in recent avalanche activity.

The bottom 10-20 cm of the snowpack consists of faceted snow and decomposing crusts. Although inherently weak, this basal layer has not been an active avalanche problem in our region since December.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.