Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 15th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Kate Ryan,

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The incoming storm is set to be intense!

If it arrives earlier than forecast tomorrow, be ready to change your objective.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Expect the next storm to start picking up steam Sunday evening.

Tonight: Trace of snow. Freezing level 900m. Wind W- 20 gusting to 45 km/h

Sun: Flurries, 10cm. Fzl 1200m. Wind SW-25 km/h

Mon: Snow, 30cm. Fzl 1600m. Wind SW 25 gusting to 55 km/h

Snowpack Summary

Storm slabs have formed with ~40cm of storm snow, warm temps and mod/strong SW winds. These have buried a Jan11 surface hoar layer observed up to 4-6mm, found at treeline and below. The Dec 1 crust is now buried up to 2m deep and remains dormant.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed in the highway corridor today.

Yesterday, a size 3.0 avalanche released naturally from a steep solar path at treeline (Cougar Corner 6). The sun also triggered numerous small (up to size 1.5) loose dry avalanches from steep, rocky terrain features.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Storm slabs are gaining strength with settlement and warm temps. Expect new storm slabs to form as the next system progresses.

Caution at treeline and below, where surface hoar may be preserved. Wind effect at treeline and above has also created slabs

  • Convex features and steep unsupported slopes will be most prone to triggering.
  • Be alert to slab conditions that change with elevation.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 16th, 2022 4:00PM