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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 26th, 2019–Jan 27th, 2019
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
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
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

Watch for rising temperatures that will cause avalanche hazard to increase this afternoon. Expect reactive slabs around treeline.

Weather Forecast

It will remain cloudy today, but a ridge of high pressure deflects any precipitation from the region. Freezing levels rise to 1400m with the possibility of an above freezing layer at higher elevations. Ridge winds west 25-40 km/h.

Snowpack Summary

In specific locations, strong S winds have redistributed storm snow and created loaded pockets and wind slabs on lee and cross-loaded features at treeline and above. The Jan 17 persistent weak layer down 30cm is surface hoar in sheltered areas and sun crust on solar aspects.

Avalanche Summary

A natural size 2.0 was observed in the highway corridor east of Rogers Pass on steep north facing terrain on Macdonald Gully #3 slide path. We received reports of fast sluffs in steep terrain below treeline where unconsolidated snow is moving over buried surface hoar crystals.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

The Jan 17th layer is down 20-40cm and consists of surface hoar in sheltered areas and sun crust on steep solar aspects. This layer is most problematic between 1600-2100m. Warm temperatures will cause this slab to consolidate and increase the hazard.
Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Strong S winds continue to load lee aspects and create windslabs at treeline and above. These slabs have been easily triggered by skier loads in steep unsupported terrain. When triggered, wind slabs may propagate into large avalanches.
Stay well to the windward side of corniced ridges.Watch for shooting cracks or stiffer feeling snow. Avoid areas that appear wind loaded.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2