Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 8th, 2013–Jan 9th, 2013
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Glacier.

A lull between storms today but be cautious in your terrain selection as conditions have not improved given yesterdays new snow and last nights winds.

Weather Forecast

A weak ridge of high pressure will keep things mainly dry today until a frontal system arrives this evening bringing moderate amounts into Wednesday. Some clearing skies can be expected in the eastern regions before clouding over this afternoon.

Snowpack Summary

60 cm of storm snow overlies a variety of surfaces ranging from sun crust on south and west aspects to surface hoar on north and east. The surface hoar buried is largest between 1500-2000m. The mid-pack is well settled and the Nov 6 crust is down 150 to 180cm.

Avalanche Summary

Four avalanches to size 2.0, two size 2.5 and one size 3.0 were down in the highway corridor yesterday. All natural slab avalanches.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

  Weak layers such as surface hoar, sun crust or facets, depending on your aspect and elevation, are now buried 40 to 60cm deep. These are in the range of skier triggering and wider propagation as the slab settles.
Whumpfing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong inicators of unstable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Higher elevations saw strong overnight winds creating wind slabs over buried weak layers. 
Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3