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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 19th, 2024–Jan 20th, 2024
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead.

Look for wind slabs on all aspects in the alpine. Temperatures are expected to slowly warm, expect this to increase the sensitivity of wind slabs to human triggering.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Reports on Wednesday and Thursday showed several explosives triggered and natural storm slab, wind slab and dry loose avalanches running to size 1 and 1.5.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Recent new snow has accumulated over faceted surfaces in many areas. A weak layer of facets above a melt-freeze crust is found down 60 to 100 cm.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well bonded with a series of crusts and faceted snow.

The average snow depth at treeline is approximately 110 to 190 cm.

Weather Summary

Friday

Mainly cloudy with 1-3 cm of snow, west and southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -11 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, 1-5 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, 5-10 cm of snow,, southwest alpine wind 20 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, 1-3 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

10-20 cm of recent new snow and wind switching from northerly to southwest is continuing to build wind slabs over weak faceted snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2