Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 23rd, 2021 5:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
cmortenson,
Avalanche Canada
Low hazard doesn't mean "no-hazard". Remain cautious around cornices, shallow rocky alpine slopes or terrain where a small sluff or a thin wind slab avalanche could have large consequences. Days remain short so give yourself time to complete your tours and objectives.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear skies, moderate southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -16 C.
SUNDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries in the afternoon, light to moderate southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -9 C.
MONDAY: A mix of sun and clouds with isolated flurries, trace new snow, light wind, treeline temperatures around -10 C.
TUESDAY: A mix of sun and clouds with isolated flurries, trace new snow, light wind, treeline temperatures around -11 C.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches have been reported. However, cornices are growing fragile with continued cold conditions faceting their bonds. Cornices are a significant hazard underfoot when travelling along ridge crests as well as an overhead hazard when lurk above steep leeward slopes.
Snowpack Summary
Alpine and upper treeline terrain is heavily wind affected with large regions of scoured surfaces, pockets of soft wind transported snow and pockets of hard wind slab in lee regions or ridge crests. A hard crusts found below 1800 m and increases in thickness with lower elevation. Surface hoar and near-surface faceting continues to develop with cold clear temperatures and is slowly softening these various hard surfaces and also weakening the bonds of cornices.
A solid mid-pack sits above some decomposing crust and facet layers near the bottom of the snowpack (100-150 cm deep). Avalanche activity on these layers has been sporadic, mostly triggered by large loads such as wind slab avalanches and cornice falls. These layers should be unreactive under the current conditions, but steep rocky slopes should still be carefully assessed and approached with caution.
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
Wind Slabs
Although unlikely to trigger, hard wind slabs in the alpine have the potential to propagate widely. Additionally, 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 24th, 2021 5:00PM
