Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 18th, 2021 1:00AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Ryan Shelly,
VIAC
No new avalanches reported over the past several days.
Summary
Past Weather
Mild temps have promoted consolidation however rain and above zero degree air temperature have developed a series of crusts within the upper 50cm of the snowpack which could provide facet development should a cold air mass creep onto the island in the coming weeks.
Weather Forecast
Monday: No precipitation expected, Winds Light from the NorthWest, Freezing level will reach a high of 1600 meters.Tuesday: 2-4cm Snow (possible rain/wet flurries at Below Treeline Elevation band), Winds Moderate from the SW increasing to Strong SW mountain top winds in the afternoon, Freezing level will reach a high of 1150 meters.Wednesday: No precipitation expected, Freezing level 800M elevation
Terrain Advice
Be cognizant of snow conditions and utilize small slopes to test and investigate snowpack stability prior to stepping out into large slopes.Careful and cautious route finding when transitioning from scoured areas into areas of wind loaded snow. Avoid traveling below and above cornice features as they are large and touchy.Avoid open and steep slopes during periods of warming and rain; even small loose wet avalanches will have enough mass to push a mountain traveler into gullies and over cliffs.
Snowpack Summary
A series of fluctuating air temperatures have created an array of upper snowpack melt freeze crusts and rain crusts all within the upper 40-50cm of the snowpack. Within 5-10 cm of the upper surface, a relatively supportive crust exists and at the Below Treeline elevation band this crust is exceptional dense and firm and provides challenging ski/snowmobile conditions until it softens with day time heating.
Snowpack Details
- Surface: 10-40 cm of melt freeze and rain crusts
- Upper: well settled and bonded due to mild air temp and general "rounded" high density snow properties
- Mid: well settled that includes a possible Facet persistent weak layer however the snowpack above is well bridged and supportive
- Lower: Well settled and dense.
Confidence
High - Need more information for the Alpine elevation band
Problems
Wind Slabs
Redistribution of snow due to wind was observed in the Alpine Elevation band yesterday (Jan 17) and based on additional limited precipitation and accompanying strong winds there remains a possibility in specific terrain at the Alpine Elevation band.
Location: Found in Alpine and upper Tree line specific to terrain just below ridge top and in down wind areas.
Possibility: Triggering of this avalanche problem is possible from light loads such as skiers and snowmobilers. Natural avalanches are unlikely.
Size: If triggered expect these avalanches to be small, and on isolated terrain features large, size 2.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 19th, 2021 1:00AM
