Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 24th, 2021 5:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Cornices.
cmortenson,
Avalanche Canada
2-5cm recent snow and continued faceting may slowly be improving riding conditions a bit, but keep in mind that loose dry avalanches (a sluff) or thin wind slab in steep or extreme terrain is possible.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY NIGHT: Mainly cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries, trace new snow, light southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -11 C.
MONDAY: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 2 cm new snow, light and variable wind, treeline temperatures around -8 C.
TUESDAY: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 2 cm new snow, light south wind, treeline temperatures around -10 C.
WEDNESDAY: A mix of sun and clouds with scattered flurries, trace to 5 cm new snow, light to moderate south wind, treeline temperatures around -7 C.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches have been observed aside from loose dry avalanches (sluffs) in steep alpine terrain. Isolated thin wind slabs may be developing immediate lee of ridge crests from recent light snow and southerly/westerly winds.
Snowpack Summary
Recent light snow (2-5 cm) has buried surface hoar and other old surfaces. Alpine and upper treeline terrain remains heavily wind affected with scouring, sastrugi, isolated pockets of soft snow and layers of hard wind slabs. A hard crust is found below 1900 m. Continued cold temps promotes near-surface faceting that slowly soften hard surfaces, promotes facets at the crust interface and weakens the bonds of cornices.
A solid mid-pack sits above a deeply buried crust and facet layers near the bottom of the snowpack (150-200 cm deep). These deeper weaknesses are currently unreactive, but have periodically produced large avalanches in alpine terrain during intense storms.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
- Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Cornices
Cornices are growing fragile with continued cold temperatures. Cornice failures are a significant hazard on their own - but can also trigger stubborn wind slab avalanches when they fail.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 25th, 2021 5:00PM
