Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 23rd, 2016 8:01AM
The alpine rating is Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeUse caution when riding in new terrain. Now is not the time to "Go Big"A Special Public Avalanche Warning is in effect for this region
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
A low pressure system coming up from the south west will brush the area Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning and may bring 5 to 10cm of moist snow to the region. Freezing levels will fluctuate between 200 m overnight and 1000 m in the afternoon on Sunday. Monday the freezing level will again rise to 1000 m with cloudy skies and the possibility of flurries
Avalanche Summary
Numerous slab avalanches up to size 2.5 have been reported in the past 2 days. Many were naturals as a result of recent storm loading. A large number were skier controlled. Many of these failed around treeline and below, on buried surface hoar, about 20-40 cm deep. Many of these were triggered remotely, highlighting the volatility of the persistent slab. An increasing number of wind slabs have also been failing at alpine/ treeline elevations, and also running on surface hoar. It is likely that a natural avalanche cycle occurred on Friday in response to the warm, windy storm.
Snowpack Summary
Recent snowfalls have created new storm slabs throughout the region and wind slabs on lee features. This has also added load and stress to the already touchy persistent slab. The 40-90 cm persistent slab overlies a variety of surfaces including large surface hoar, sun crusts, rime crusts and facets. This persistent slab is ripe for human and natural triggers and is especially touchy at and below treeline. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Recent snowfalls have created new storm slabs throughout the region and wind slabs on lee features. This has also added load and stress to the already touchy persistent slab.
Use ridges or ribs to avoid wind loaded slopes.>Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>Avoid slopes with glide cracks.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
The persistent slab has proven to be easily triggered by skiers and sleds, be aware of the possibility of triggering from a distance.
Use conservative route selection and be aware of the possibility of remote triggering.>Avoid steep open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 24th, 2016 2:00PM