Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 26th, 2013 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeIf the weather models underestimate the snowfall, avalanche danger could increase early next week.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Clouds will increase starting Sunday morning with moderate snowfalls beginning Sunday evening through to Tuesday morning. Initial estimates were up to 30cm, but this has been tapered back in this afternoon's forecast. Winds will continue light to moderate from the Southwest and will shift to a Northwest flow as the system goes through on Monday.
Snowpack Summary
Most areas above treeline and in the alpine have been wind blasted. Hard slabs are widespread, and provide a strong bridge over any underlying weakness. Some solar affect has occurred in the high alpine onĀ Westerly slopes. Below treeline, the snowpack is facetted throughout but no slab overlies this weakness.
Avalanche Summary
One size 2.5 slab avalanche was observed originating in a cross loaded alpine gully on a Southwesterly aspect at approximately 2800 meters indicating that the sun is gaining strength in the afternoons.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Sunday
Problems
Wind Slabs
Hard slabs are widespread and present the only real problem in the snowpack. Although it seems unlikely, it could be possible to trigger an avalanche in a steep pocket with a hard slab. Mostly these slabs are bridging any weakness underneath.
Be careful with wind loaded pockets
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 27th, 2013 4:00PM