Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 23rd, 2019–Jan 24th, 2019

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Glacier.

Pockets of wind slab exist in the alpine and exposed areas at tree line. Test adjacent low consequence features before making the decision to drop into your line.

Weather Forecast

Mainly cloudy today with light snow flurries and periods of sun. Alpine high of -8, Westerly winds 15-35 kph and the freezing level reaching 1100m. Cool temps and small amounts of precip over the next few days as a ridge of high pressure builds for the weekend, hopefully bringing sunny skies for high alpine tours.

Snowpack Summary

6cm of new snow rests on a strong, settled snowpack with only a few layers of note. The Jan17th SH layer buried 15-30cm and seems most problematic where the wind has created soft slabs above it. The buried PWLs (Nov 21st and Oct Crust) have been unreactive in stability tests, but may wake up later in the season, or in shallow areas.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches observed or reported from the backcountry in the last two days. There were 3 skier induced avalanches over the weekend; one skier control size 2 in the Lookout Couloirs and two skier accidentals, one in Hospital Bowl and the other in the Ravens. Both skier accidentals posted a MIN, or reported it to the Rogers Pass Discovery Center.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Over the weekend we received 20cm of new snow accompanied by extreme winds forming wind slabs in isolated locations throughout the park. This soft slab overlies the Jan 17th SH in sheltered areas and a suncrust on steep solar aspects.

Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2