Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 25th, 2014 8:23AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs.
jlammers,
Avalanche Canada
Summary
Confidence
Good
Weather Forecast
Sunday: Clear skies with a chance of valley cloud / Light northerly winds / Freezing level at 1300mMonday: Mainly clear skies / Light northerly winds / Freezing level at 800m Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light northwest winds / Freezing level at 700m
Avalanche Summary
With recent warm alpine temperatures natural avalanches to size 2.5 were reported on steep solar aspects. In at least 1 case, avalanche activity occurred as a wet slab and ran to ground.
Snowpack Summary
A dusting of snow overlies a variety of surfaces which include old, stubborn wind slabs in exposed upper elevation terrain and well developed surface hoar in sheltered terrain. Surface hoar continues to grow at treeline and below while sun-exposed slopes are now sporting a melt-freeze crust. Ongoing moderate daytime temperatures have promoted settlement within the snowpack, while cool nights have allowed for significant surface faceting.Closer to the ground, below a generally strong and well settled mid pack, there are 2 layers of note: the late November surface hoar, and a crust/facet combo which formed in October. These layers have become unlikely to trigger (maybe a cornice fall, a heavy load over a thin spot in steep terrain, or a rapid temperature change). That said, avalanches at these interfaces would be large and destructive.
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
With forecast cooling deep persistent slabs will become less likely. That said, professionals are still leary of some slopes that did not recently avalanche. Watch for triggering in steep, rocky start zones with a thin or variable snow cover.
Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Conditions are greatly improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 26th, 2014 2:00PM
