Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 19th, 2021 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada ahanna, Avalanche Canada

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A surface crust may make for difficult travel conditions.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Flurries, trace, strong to extreme ridgetop wind easing to light northwest, freezing level 800 m.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy, light ridgetop wind, treeline temperature around -3, freezing level 1000 m.

THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate easterly wind, freezing level 1000 m.

FRIDAY: Sunny, light northeast wind, freezing level 800 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new reports.

Snowpack Summary

A widespread crust caps the snow surface. The exception may be higher elevation north-facing slopes, where there could be roughly 10 cm of snow sitting above crusts. There could be some weak faceted snow forming around these crusts, but avalanches on this layer are unlikely at this point. The lower snowpack is a well consolidated multi-tiered sandwich of crusts and moist snow.

Watch North Shore Rescue's weekly snowpack conditions update from Friday here.

Terrain and Travel

  • A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.
  • Pay attention to isolated alpine features as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

It could be possible to trigger isolated slabs on steep slopes at higher elevations (especially those without a surface crust).

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Jan 20th, 2021 4:00PM