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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 1st, 2021–Jan 2nd, 2021
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
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
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high

Regions: Glacier.

New Year's resolution: ski more powder!

Watch for building storm slabs today especially if the storm comes in early

Weather Forecast

Flurries accumulating 5cm today with rising temperatures and winds picking up to strong from the SW. 10cm overnight with winds peaking early Saturday morning before the bulk of the snow arrives during the day and overnight saturday. We may have as much as 50cm by Sunday morning before the temperatures plummet and the storm abates.

Snowpack Summary

A new surface hoar layer (Dec 26) is preserved, in isolated areas, under 30cm of recent snow. The Dec 13 surface hoar can still be found down 100cm and the Dec 7 crust down 120 with weaker, facetted snow between them. At the base of the snowpack are several early season crusts including the prominent Nov 5 with facets in between them.

Avalanche Summary

No new slab avalanches have been observed in the highway corridor, or reported from the back country recently. Sluffing has been reported and has caught a few skiers and riders out in steep unsupported terrain features.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm snow is building up with more due today and tonight, watch for slab development especially in lee areas and use caution where the Dec 26 surface hoar may be preserved

  • Use caution in alpine and open treeline lees. Recent snowfall has created storm slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The early december surface hoar layers are now buried over 1m deep. The avalanche problem is now a classic low likelihood, high consequence scenario. Steep solar aspects and thin snowpack areas are the most likely places to trigger this layer.

  • Be wary of large open slopes that did not previously avalanche.
  • Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 2 - 4