Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 31st, 2015–Jan 1st, 2016

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

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

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

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: Glacier.

We are in for some beautiful days with great snow. Once out of the frigid valley bottom you will feel the warm inverted alpine temps. Be cautious on steep, solar aspects where the power of the sun may trigger avalanches.

Weather Forecast

We are in for a prolonged dry spell due to a high pressure system. Expect temps today ranging from -18 to -5 with light to moderate N'ly winds at ridgetop. Today should be the start of inverted temps with cold temps in the shady valley bottoms and alpine reaching near zero. Tomorrow will bring even stronger temperature inversion in the Alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Cold temps are slowing the settlement of last weeks snow and causing surface facetting which is helping to keep the surface snow soft. 30-40cm of lower density snow sits on a well settled mid pack. Moderate winds have loaded the immediate lee of alpine features and creating areas of thin wind-slab.

Avalanche Summary

Yesterday there was evidence of loose, solar triggered avalanches. They were up to size 1.5 and were occurring from steep, rocky terrain exposed to the sun. On Monday, a skier accidentally triggered a size 1.5 avalanche on a W aspect at ~2200m while descending "NRC" on the Macdonald West Shoulder. There have also been glide crack releases observed.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Saturday

Avalanche Problems

Loose Dry

With Alpine temps forecasted to reach zero today, the sun will have a greater effect on the snowpack. Expect solar triggered avalanches from steep solar aspects, especially around rocks and cliffs. Expect sluffing from steep slopes on your descent.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Thin windslabs exist in immediate lee of some alpine features. Keep them in mind if you venture into more aggressive terrain where getting pushed around by a small slide could have serious consequences.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2