Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 31st, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs, Loose Dry and Persistent Slabs.
Benjamin Firth,
Weather forecasts are showing uncertainty regarding the amount of new snow we may receive, ranging from 15cm to to 45cm over the next 48hrs.
Expect Hwy 93N closures for avalanche control and heightened avalanche danger if the amounts are significant.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Sunday night: Flurries. Accumulation: 11 cm. Low -5 C. Ridge wind south: 15 km/h gusting to 40 km/h.
Monday: Snow. Accumulation: 19 cm. High -2 C. Ridge wind south: 15-35 km/h. Freezing level: 1900 metres.
Tuesday: Flurries. Accumulation: 10 cm. High -4 C. Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h gusting to 50 km/h. Freezing level: 1600 metres.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 35cm of storm snow could accumulate up to Mon eve. Expect to find new wind slab on lee ridgetop features and below. The new snow will overlie previously wind affected surfaces in non-sheltered areas in the alpine and below as well as widespread surface facets. Strong mid-pack in deeper areas overlies supportive basal layers.
Avalanche Summary
Field team reports no new avalanche activity observed.
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Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Monday
Problems
Storm Slabs
Likelihood and size dependent on wind effect and precip amounts
- Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Size and likelihood dependent on precip amounts. Previous surface faceting could make this problem more reactive.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep terrain.
- Avoid travelling on ledges and cliffs where sluffing may have severe consequences.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
- Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.
- If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 1st, 2021 4:00PM
