Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 22nd, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet.
ahanna,
Avalanche Canada
There is a lot of uncertainty as to how the snowpack is going to react to the sustained heat and sun. Loose wet avalanches will become increasingly likely as the surface crust breaks down, especially on steep sun exposed slopes.
Summary
Confidence
Low - Uncertainty is due to how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather. Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
Weather Forecast
The region now sits under the warm ridge of high pressure bringing high freezing levels and sun, expected to persist into next week.
Saturday night: Clear, moderate W wind, freezing levels 3200 m.Â
Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud, moderate NW wind, freezing levels around 3000 m, dropping to around 2500 m by Sunday night.Â
Monday: Sunny, moderate NW wind, freezing levels around 3000 m.Â
Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud, light NW wind, freezing levels around 2800 m.Â
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity have been reported.
Observations remain limited. If you head out into the mountains, please share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Warm temperatures are starting to melt a thick crust formed by previous heavy rain saturating the surface snow to mountain top. Below this crust, snow is moist down 30-50 cm and several old crusts are now breaking down. The middle and base of the snowpack are well settled and strong, consisting of well bonded snow and various hard melt-freeze crusts.
Terrain and Travel
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
Problems
Loose Wet
The warming and sun are not expected to have a major impact on the rain soaked snowpack but surficial loose wet avalanches may become possible from steep, sun exposed slopes as the warming persists. The more the surface crust breaks down over the weekend, the more likely wet loose avalanches will become.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 23rd, 2022 4:00PM
