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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 20th, 2024–Jan 21st, 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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Glacier.

Warming temps, new snow and wind are the perfect recipe for fresh slab formation.

Continue to re-evaluate conditions as you gain elevation and transition into open terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few naturals were observed on Mt. Macdonald running from steep terrain on Saturday.

Thursday; there was a close call when a skier triggered a sz 1.5 avalanche on the S/SW side of Cheops and self arrested; and a skier triggered slab avalanche on a S facing moraine.

Wednesday there was a widespread natural cycle in the highway corridor, triggered by wind.

Tuesday, there was a skier triggered avalanche on the W Side of Cheops.

*All skier triggered avalanches failed on a suncrust

Snowpack Summary

30cms of recent storm snow overlies variable wind slabs/wind effect in open terrain, and settling facetted snow in sheltered areas below tree-line.

A sun crust, down 50cm (most prominent at tree-line) has been the failure plane for isolated & large skier triggered avalanches recently.

Below 2100m there is decomposing crust down 75cm (from Dec 5th/6th).

The Dec 1 surface hoar layer is down 110cm and is decomposing.

Weather Summary

Expect a temperature inversion and flurries into Monday as heavy cold air is slowly pushed out.

Tonight: Trace precip. Low -3°C. Light Southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level (Fzl) 1400m

Sun: Isolated flurries. High -3°C. Fzl 1800m. Light to Moderate SW wind.

Mon: Isolated flurries. High -2°C. Fzl 1800m. Light SW wind.

Tues: 5cm. Low -6°C, High -3°C. Light S wind. Fzl 1700m

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Fresh snow with variable wind continues to build fresh slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

Be extra cautious on South through West aspects, as there is a sun-crust down 40-70cm that has been reactive to skier/rider traffic.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3