Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 26th, 2018–Jan 27th, 2018

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Glacier.

Recent moderate winds building wind slab in the Alpine and at Tree Line. Human triggering of avalanches remains likely.High quality skiing is found in sheltered areas Tree Line and below.

Weather Forecast

A brief relief today from the smorgasbord of winter storms, but the all you can ride/ski powder buffet is still open for business. The day will be mostly cloudy with light snow flurries and periods of sun. Alpine high of -11 with 20-35km/hr southwest winds. The next pacific storm pulse arrives tomorrow with a promising forecast of 70cm in four days

Snowpack Summary

50cm+ storm snow in the last 4 days at 1900m and over 150cm of snow in the last 2 weeks. Expect to find fresh wind slab along ridge lines and lee features due to the 30km/hr south winds in the alpine. The Jan 16 surface hoar is down ~50cm, Jan 4 down ~70 and Dec 15 down ~1m+ making for a complex sandwich of weak layers.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous natural avalanches size 2-2.5 observed along the highway corridor yesterday. Avalanche control two days ago produced results up to size 2.5.No reports of recent avalanche activity in the back-country. If you see anything, please submit a Mountain Information Network (MIN) Report.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent moderate southerly winds have redistributed storm snow into wind slab. The slab will be most sensitive in lee areas at ridge line and exposed areas at tree line. If triggered, the slab could step down to deeper weak layers.

If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

Persistent weak layers present a lower likelihood / high consequence scenario with the Jan 16th, 4th and Dec 15th surface hoar layers. These layers could be sensitive to human triggering in thin areas, or overloads from storm slab avalanches.

Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls at treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3