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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 23rd, 2021–Jan 24th, 2021

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

South Coast Inland.

A dusting of new snow falls ontop of firm, crystal-covered surfaces. It may seem harmless now but as more snow gradually accumulates, this interface is expected to become problematic in the long term. So enjoy the fast travel and good stability while you can.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: Increasing cloud with flurries starting, moderate westerly wind, alpine temperature -12.

Sunday: Flurries, up to 5 cm, light wind, alpine high -10.

Monday: Flurries, trace, light wind, alpine high -11.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, light to moderate southerly wind, alpine high -12.

Avalanche Summary

No new reports in the last few days. Earlier in the week, reports from the northern part of the region included a natural wind slab avalanche size 1.5 at treeline and a few cornice falls up to size 2. Some of the cornice falls triggered wind slab avalanches up to size 2 in the slopes below. None of these large loads triggered deep persistent layers.

Snowpack Summary

A dusting of new snow falls on generally hard surfaces throughout the region; old stiff wind slab at upper elevations and a crust below 1600 m and on south aspects. In the recent cool, clear weather, crystals such as surface hoar and facets have formed ontop of these old surfaces. They are expected to become problematic as snow accumulates overtop.

In the south, the underlying snowpack is well consolidated. In the north, remnants of a melt-freeze crust from early December may be found 100 to 200 cm deep. Recent reports and snow profiles suggest that this layer is decomposing and/or bonding to surrounding snow and trending dormant... for now at least.

Terrain and Travel

  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

Problems

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.