Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 26th, 2021 5:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
cmortenson,
Avalanche Canada
Not much is changing aside from a few cm of new snow and increasing southeast wind in the afternoon. If you are heading into the steeps, be on the look out for wind transported snow and fresh wind slabs.
Summary
Confidence
High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.
Weather Forecast
The remnants of a weak system will bring cloudy conditions with scattered flurries and light to moderate southerly winds all week. Â
TUESDAY NIGHT: Mainly cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries, light south wind, treeline temperatures around -10 C.
WEDNESDAY: Morning clear periods then scattered flurries by afternoon, trace to 3 cm new snow, light to moderate southeast wind, treeline temperatures around -13 C.
THURSDAY: A mix of sun and clouds with scattered flurries, 1 to 3cm new snow, light southerly wind, treeline temperatures around -5 C.
FRIDAY: A mix of sun and clouds with scattered flurries, 1 to 5cm new snow, light southerly wind, treeline temperatures around -6 C.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches have been reported aside from loose dry avalanches (sluffs) from steep alpine and treeline terrain from the neighbouring Lizard Range forecasting area. Cornices are growing fragile with continued cold conditions faceting their bonds.Â
Snowpack Summary
A few centemeters of recent snow has buried surface hoar and old surfaces. Alpine and upper treeline terrain remains heavily wind affected from last week's strong to extreme southwest winds with scouring, sastrugi, isolated pockets of soft snow and layers of hard wind slab. A hard thick crust is found below 1800 m. Near-surface faceting continues to slowly soften hard surfaces, promote facet growth at crust interfaces and weaken cornices.Â
A solid mid-pack sits above deeply buried decomposing crust and facet layers near the bottom of the snowpack (100-150 cm deep). Avalanche activity on these layers has been sporadic and mostly triggered by large loads such as wind slab avalanches and cornice falls. Though unreactive under the current conditions, steep rocky slopes and shallow snowpacks should still be carefully assessed and approached with caution.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
- Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Wind Slabs
As south/southeast wind picks up to moderate levels Wednesday afternoon with a few cm's of new snow, isolated wind slabs are likely to form in the immediate lee of windy exposed ridge crests, in cross-loaded features or in steep alpine areas. Cornices continue to grow fragile with cold temperatures.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 27th, 2021 5:00PM
