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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 23rd, 2016–Jan 24th, 2016
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
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
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

Regions: Northwest Inland.

Recent observations are very limited from the region. If you're out in the mountains please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network.

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Sunday: Mainly cloudy. The freezing level is at valley bottom and winds are moderate from the southeast. Monday: Cloudy with light snow – around 5 cm. The freezing level could rise to 600-800 m and winds increase to strong from the S-SW. Tuesday: Periods of snow. The freezing level rises to 1000-1200 m. Winds remain strong from the southwest.

Avalanche Summary

There are very few observations from the region. A couple natural size 2 slab avalanches were observed in wind-loaded terrain (N-NE aspects) at around 1800 m on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Light snowfall with moderate southeast winds may be enough to form fresh, reactive wind slabs in lee features. In some places this could also activate buried surface hoar in the upper snowpack, generally found between 30 and 60 cm deep. Stay tuned to signs of instability like recent avalanches, whumpfing, and shooting cracks. The mid pack that was reported to be well settled may have now facetted in the shallower areas, and the deeper basal layers are almost certainly facetted and weak. We have not heard of any full depth releases on weak basal layers yet.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for pockets of wind slab in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. These wind slabs could be triggered by the weight of a skier or sled, especially where they are sitting on a persistent weakness. 
Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain. >

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

New snow has been slowly accumulating over a layer of facets and surface hoar and may now be primed for triggering in some areas.
Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3