Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 22nd, 2016 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeRein it in this weekend...Thurs-Fri storm left touchy wind slabs on lee features.
AVALANCHE CONTROL planned for Mt. Bosworth, Stephen and Dennis on Saturday. Please no recreational activities
Summary
Weather Forecast
Over Friday night temperatures and winds will drop and snow/rain will taper off. Over the weekend, expect cloudy skies, light to moderate ridge wind, and alpine highs in the single digits. No significant flurries for the next several days.
Snowpack Summary
Ongoing storm Friday night is continuing to move the 20-30cm recent snow, forming wind slabs at treeline and above. The moist storm snow and wind slabs overlie weak facets. Below treeline snow was still unaffected by wind on Thursday-Friday, but this could change quickly with Friday nights weather. On Friday there was light rain to 1800 m.
Avalanche Summary
Poor visibility today, but we expect a small cycle to be occurring. Avalanche control on Mt. Bourgeau on Thursday produced numerous avalanches size 1- 2 , one of which started as a wind slab and entrained all of the facets in the track, hitting the road. This is consistent with other observations this week from thin snowpack areas.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Windslabs will continue to build Friday night. Natural avalanche activity will taper on Saturday but the windslabs will remain touchy to human triggering.
- Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
With forecasted weather, natural loose snow avalanches may subside, but expect it still to be a problem in steep terrain for skiers/climbers. Touchy cornices developed through the storm are new trigger to consider when assessing overhead terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 23rd, 2016 4:00PM