Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 16th, 2022 4:03PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Ian Jackson,
A storm is forecast for Monday, but amount of snowfall is uncertain. In areas that receive 20 cm or more of snow, the danger may go to High.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A storm is forecasted for Monday that should bring between 10 and 40 cm (highest amounts in western areas). Temperatures will be mild, but freezing levels are forecast to stay below 1400m. Winds will be in the strong range from the West. Tuesday/ Wednesday look to be cold, clear and calm.
Snowpack Summary
Strong winds over the last few days has created widespread windslabs in the alpine and in some treeline areas. These overlie facets in many places, producing moderate to hard test results. The Dec. 2 crust and facets are generally 60-90cm deep in the snowpack. Some thin snowpack areas have lingering basal depth hoar and facets.
Avalanche Summary
This past week, 2 significant skier triggered avalanches occurred on the Dec 2 persistent layer. No new avalanches were observed or reported on Sunday.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and wind on Monday will add to previous windslabs in alpine and treeline terrain. In some areas these have been enough to initiate deeper layers in the snowpack.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
This problem represents both the Dec. 2nd crust/ facet layer (treeline and below) and layers of faceted snow that were formed during the late December cold snap (all elevations). If triggered, either layer will result in large avalanches.
- Forecasters are operating with alot of uncertainty at this time.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 17th, 2022 4:00PM
