Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 4th, 2021 4:23PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Conrad Janzen,
Look for terrain that is sheltered from the wind to enjoy the recent snow, and avoid steep wind loaded areas until the newly formed winds slabs have a chance to bond with the layers below.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A few cm's of new snow are forecast for Monday night with a mix of sun and cloud on Tuesday. Alpine winds will remain in the moderate to strong range out of the W and SW, increasing to strong Tuesday night before dropping to moderate again on Wednesday. Treeline temperatures will be in the -8 to -10 range on Tuesday.
Snowpack Summary
15-30 cm of storm snow at treeline. Extensive wind effect in open areas at treeline and in the alpine with wind slabs in lee areas. The Dec 13 and Dec 7 sun crust/surface hoar/facet layers are down ~ 50 cm and ~80 cm respectively. The decomposing Nov crust/facet layer sits at the bottom of the snowpack. Height of snow at tree line is 120-180cm.
Avalanche Summary
A number of size 2 natural wind/storm slab avalanches were observed in the alpine from Sunday's storm. Explosive controlled small wind/storm slab avalanches were reported by the local ski hills mostly in the alpine. One skier remote size 2 avalanche was reported on a steep convex roll at treeline below Wawa Ridge near Sunshine Village on Sunday.
Confidence
Due to the number and quality of field observations
Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong winds and recent snow have formed wind slabs in lee areas at treeline and in the alpine. The likelihood of triggering these is slowly going down, but it is a good idea to avoid travel on or under steep loaded terrain for the next couple days.
- Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Recent storm snow has formed wind slabs.
- Watch for signs of slab formation, such as whumpfing and shooting cracks.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 5th, 2021 4:00PM
