Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 7th, 2017–Jan 8th, 2017

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

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

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Sea To Sky.

The incoming storm will form new wind slabs and increase the avalanche danger at higher elevations.

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY: Flurries starting in the afternoon, moderate southeast winds, alpine temperatures around -4.MONDAY: Flurries continuing overnight with 15-20 cm of new snow by the morning, moderate to strong southwest winds, alpine temperatures around -6.TUESDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries and 5-10 cm of new snow, light east winds, alpine temperatures around -12.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Friday. Several small wind slab avalanches were reported earlier in the week, and lingering wind slabs may still be reactive in isolated wind-loaded pockets.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 5 cm of new snow covers a variable surface with a mix of soft wind slabs, hard wind slabs, sastrugi, faceted snow, and even some surface hoar. Last week's winds reverse loaded many terrain features and formed stubborn wind slabs on a surprising range of aspects. An interface of faceted (sugary) snow and surface hoar was buried on Boxing Day and can be found up to 100 cm deep. Recent observations suggest the snow has bonded well to this interface. Snowpack layers below this interface are also generally well bonded.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

The incoming storm will bury old stubborn wind slabs from last week's outflow winds, and form new wind slabs in the lee of exposed terrain.

Anticipate areas of hard wind slab in steep alpine features.Use safe ski cutting techniques before entering ski run. Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2