Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 14th, 2013 10:21AM
The alpine rating is Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeSummary
Confidence
Poor - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Monday night and Tuesday: A high pressure dominates the weather bringing dry conditions. Freezing level are expected to rise up to 2500 m. and the sun to shine in the alpine with valley clouds. Winds should be strong from the Northwest.Wednesday: Dry, sunny and warm conditions persist. Thursday: A cold front should lower freezing levels and bring a trace of precipitation.
Avalanche Summary
A few recent natural slab avalanches up to size 2.5 on steep South and Northwest aspects were reported in the Northern part of the region. There was also several natural and skier triggered slab avalanches up to size 1.5 on various aspects all over the region.
Snowpack Summary
The upper snowpack instabilities that were starting to settle could become unstable again if rapid warming occurs with the forecasted weather for the next 2 days. Read the forecaster blog to learn more about this process. The 50-90 cm of recent snow is sitting over weaker snow surfaces including surface hoar (found especially at and below treeline in sheltered areas), a sun crust (on steep S to SW -facing slopes) and facets. The distribution of buried surface hoar is patchy, but where it exists, it may become touchy again. Recent strong winds have also left wind slabs in the lee of terrain breaks such as ridges and ribs at alpine and treeline elevations. A strong mid-pack overlies a weak facet/crust layer near the base of the snowpack, which is now considered inactive.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 15th, 2013 2:00PM