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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 4th, 2024–Jan 5th, 2024
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Evaluate snow and terrain carefully at upper elevations where both persistent and wind slab avalanches are possible.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few small (size 1) wind slab and dry loose avalanches were triggered by riders and explosives on Tuesday. With incoming snow and wind, small avalanches in the surface snow will likely continue.

The last reported persistent slab avalanche on the buried surface hoar was last Saturday. Triggering a persistent slab avalanche remains possible in upper treeline and alpine terrain.

Snowpack Summary

New snow is gradually accumulating over crusts, surface hoar, and facets. Amounts on this interface vary from 5 to 30 cm, and reports suggest it may be bonding poorly.

A crust formed by a December rain event is found roughly 60 cm deep, and a layer of surface hoar is found 60 to 100 cm deep. Where it exists, the crust makes it harder to trigger the surface hoar layer, but triggering remains a concern at higher elevations where the crust is less prominent.

The lower snowpack is variable throughout the region, with basal facets possible in shallower snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Thursday night

Cloudy with 3 to 8 cm of new snow, alpine wind southwest 40 km/h, treeline temperature -7 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow, alpine wind southwest 40 km/h, treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow, alpine wind southwest 35 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with a trace of new snow, alpine wind northwest 20 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Small avalanches will be possible on slopes with deeper deposits of new snow, especially wind-loaded terrain features.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5

Persistent Slabs

A layer of surface hoar buried 60 to 100 cm deep is likely becoming harder to trigger.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 2.5