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Avalanche Forecast

Jan 3rd, 2017–Jan 4th, 2017
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
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
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

Regions: South Rockies.

Cold weather continues! Please submit your observations to the MIN.

Confidence

Moderate - Wind effect is extremely variable

Weather Forecast

Cold and clear overnight with moderate northeast winds. Cold and clear on Wednesday with valley temperatures around -20, some chance of thin high cloud moving in from the northeast. High cloud on Thursday with light westerly winds and no precipitation. Mostly clear with moderate southwest winds and a trace of new snow on Friday.

Avalanche Summary

No new reports of avalanches. Wind slabs may be triggered on all aspects due to the changing wind directions associated with recent storms. Shallow snowpack areas continue to be a concern for weak facetted (sugary) crystals that may fail to support the more recent storm snow. These weak areas are not expected to improve during this period of cold weather.

Snowpack Summary

The recent storm snow has been transported by northeast winds into wind slabs on south and west aspects. In some areas these wind slabs may sitting on an old scoured surface that was stripped by previous strong westerly winds that developed wind slabs on north and east aspects. The newer wind slabs are probably easier to trigger, but the old wind slabs may continue to release with the added load of a rider, especially where they are sitting on a shallow weak sugary base. Travel conditions have been challenging and little change is expected until the next warm up helps to settle the snowpack.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent strong winds have been from several directions, creating wind slabs and reverse loading. Expect these wind slabs to continue to be easy to trigger, and may take longer than usual to settle and bond due to the cold temperatures
Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Where denser snow overlies weak, sugary snow, there is the potential to trigger large, dangerous avalanches. Dig down and test for weak layers before committing to any steep slope.
Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.Danger spots are where denser snow overlies weak, sugary snow below.Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3