Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 19th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Deryl Kelly,
Warming, with direct sun will increase the hazard, especially on steep solar aspects, TL and below.
Sensitive cornices, wind slabs and terrible riding conditions in the Alpine.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Thursday
Flurries: 7 cm. Temp High -4 °C. Wind W: 20 km/h gusting to 55 km/h. FZL: 1500 m.
Friday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Trace. Temp: Low -10 °C, High -7 °C. Wind W: 15-25 km/h.
Saturday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Trace. Temp: Low -7 °C, High -5 °C. Wind W: 15 km/h. FZL: 1600 m
Snowpack Summary
North winds have built new and hard wind slabs in all open features, ALP and open TL. The mid-pack is highly faceted with active, persistent weak layers from Dec. Interfaces within the facets found down ~30cm and ~60cm. These layers have varied sensitivity but if triggered can build quickly into large, destructive avalanches. Cornices are building.
Avalanche Summary
Several large avalanches have been observed over the last 48 hours around the Churchill Range up to sz 2.5 and running to ground.
Confidence
Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Problems
Wind Slabs
North winds have caused reverse loading wind slabs down into the tree line. This seems to be more prominent north of Tangle Hill. It is especially a concern where a hard wind slab sits over weak faceted snow. Listen for a hollow sounding snowpack.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
December's persistent weaknesses sit over different layers depending on elevation and aspect. Below 1950m, a faceting rain crust is roughly 40-60cm down. Above 1950m, a buried surface facet layer down 20-30cm is the primary concern.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 20th, 2022 4:00PM
