Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 16th, 2022 4:03PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Ian Jackson,

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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

An icon showing 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

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing 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

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Jan 17th, 2022 4:00PM