Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 14th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Dry and Persistent Slabs.
Garth Lemke,
Despite the lack of activity and signs of stability, allow the 40-50cm of new snow to settle and bond the next few days. Now is not the time to test large inviting slopes as many are untested. Keep to treeline and below for the short-term.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Friday will be clouds and flurries, -7C, and 20-50km/hr West winds. Saturday will bring the same and -11 to -9, 15-45km/hr West winds. Sunday will be similar but a little more sun.
Snowpack Summary
January 13th brought upwards of 55cm of new snow in the region. It has settled to 20-30cm with mild temperatures but being wind effected. The storm snow is uncertain but could be a temperature or rain crust or FC and/or SH with an inconsistent reactivity. The mid pack is supportive. Near the ground it is weak facets and depth hoar.
Avalanche Summary
No new naturals were noted on Thursday. Wednesday's explosive control action had surprisingly little results. During and after Tuesday-Wednesdays' storm, a significant natural cycle up to size 3.5 was noted occurring mostly in the Alpine open features South through Westerly aspects.
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Confidence
Due to the number and quality of field observations
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs mainly on but not limited to lee aspects in the alpine and open tree line from the 40-50cm storm snow and current winds. It is highly variable in the alpine. Caution thick to thin locations being ripe for human triggering.
- Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Ice climbers be wary of this problem as even small avalanches can quickly gain volume and have serious consequences. The storm slow remains loose and unconsolidated. Watch for triggers that would wake this problem up such as rising temperatures.
- Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Use caution around thin to thick areas where buried deeper weak layers could be triggered. The surface hoar layer down 40-70cm seems unreactive and spotty distribution but keep it on your radar especially with the new snow 50cm load.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 15th, 2021 4:00PM
