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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 7th, 2021–Jan 8th, 2021

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

Regions

South Coast.

The weather forecast calls for a bit more precipitation and then a brief clearing. Wind slabs at uppermost elevations are the main concern.

Confidence

High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

Weather Forecast

Thursday Night: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries or showers, moderate southeast wind, treeline high temperature 2 C, freezing level 1300 m.

Friday: Snow or rain, 5-15 cm, moderate southwest wind, treeline high temperature 0 C freezing level 1000 m.

Saturday: Cloudy with sunny breaks, moderate southwest wind, treeline high temperature 3, freezing level 1300 m.

Sunday: Flurries or rain showers, moderate south wind, treeline high temperature near -1 C, freezing level 900 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday there were reports of a few explosives controlled size 1-1.5 storm slab avalanches at 1200 m on a west aspect. As well, there were several MIN reports outlining easily triggered storm slabs at treeline during Tuesday afternoon's storm. Check out the MIN reports here and here.

Snowpack Summary

Snow at uppermost elevations from earlier this week has likely seen extensive wind effect but we have received no alpine observations. Recent snow may contain and/or sit on a crust. Below the 1300 m elevation band the snow surface is likely moist or wet. 

The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.