Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 10th, 2018 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeBuried old wind slabs (persistent slab) vary in reactivity and warrant a site by site assessment.
Summary
Weather Forecast
An arctic front has pushed the jet stream to our south. Cold air and L winds will persist through Thursday.Thursdays forecast is for a mix of sun and cloud, alpine lows -18C, highs -14 C, and light wind. A ridge sliding in from the Coast will give warming temps and light W winds in to the weekend.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 15cm of snow (3 days), sits on pockets of old wind slab in exposed areas (these sit on weak facets and srfce hoar many locations), and a facetted upper snowpack in sheltered areas at all elevations. A strong mid snowpack crust is providing some strength around treeline. The faceting process (weakening) is well underway in the lower snowpack.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed or reported.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
Problems
Persistent Slabs
New snow covers pockets of old wind slabs on a weak interface in exposed alpine and TL features. Bigger, uniform features have the potential to trigger large avalanches and should be treated with caution.
Approach steep lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
New snow covers a facetted/weak upper snowpack in sheltered areas. Be cautious in very steep terrain and in confined features where a small sluff could build mass.
Use caution above ledges and cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.The shallow, weakening snowpack makes for difficult trail breaking at low elevations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 11th, 2018 4:00PM