Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 15th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

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Incoming storm will increase avalanche danger at treeline and alpine elevations. Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of intense loading from new snow or wind.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A few natural wet loose avalanches, size 1, were reported at treeline on Saturday.

Thanks for the observations and please continue to post your reports and photos to the Mountain Information Network. It is really helpful for forecasters!

Snowpack Summary

Last week's rain saturated the snowpack at all elevations and pretty much removed all layering. At high elevations there's some new snow above the rain runnels and there's more snow in the forecast, at least for higher elevations.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night: Temperatures and freezing level starts to fall with freezing level around 1000 m. Snow & rain also start to fall with up to 20 mm water equivalent overnight. Moderate east to southeast wind.

Monday: As much as 40 mm water equivalent during the day with freezing level around 1000 m. Near the peaks that could be as much as 40 cm of snow with snow depth tapering at lower elevations to where there's only a trace of wet snow around 600 m (the rain / snow line). Moderate south wind.

Tuesday

No new precipitation. Freezing level near 1000m. Light southwest wind. Cloudy or overcast.

Wednesday

Snow arrives again overnight and during the day with 30 to 50 mm of water equivalency forecast. Freezing level remains steady around 1000m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
  • Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
  • Be careful to keep storm day fever from luring you out into bigger terrain features.
  • Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

The problem is most likely at higher elevations on steeper slopes where more than 25 cm of snow accumulates, especially if it's dry or wind driven snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 16th, 2023 4:00PM