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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 22nd, 2019–Jan 23rd, 2019

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

South Columbia.

The recent snow continues to be reactive at all elevations. Pay extra attention to steeper slopes, glades and gullies at treeline and below. These locations may catch you by surprise and are susceptible to human triggers. Keep a conservative mindset.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

Tuesday Night: Cloudy with new snow 3-10 cm. Ridgetop winds light from the southwest and alpine temperatures near -7. Freezing levels near 800 m.Wednesday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Ridgetop winds moderate from the northwest and alpine temperatures near -6. Freezing levels 1200 m. Thursday: Cloudy with some sunny periods and isolated flurries. Ridgetop winds moderate from the northwest and freezing levels near 800 m. Friday: Mainly cloudy. Ridgetop winds moderate from the southwest and alpine temperatures near -3. Freezing levels rise to 1200 m.

Avalanche Summary

Natural and human triggered slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported on Monday from 1600 m up to 2500 m on a wide range of aspects. This will likely be the story for the forecast period where the slab remains reactive to light loads like skier traffic, especially where the new snow sits above buried surface hoar from 1500-1800m. At higher elevations pockets of wind slab are also reactive to skier traffic. Check out this MIN report for a great overview of conditions including photos.

Snowpack Summary

Another 10-15 cm of new snow brings a total of 20-35 cm above a layer of large feathery surface hoar crystals and sun crust. The recent snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between 1500-1800 metres where the surface hoar is particularly well developed on all aspects. Strong winds associated with the new snow formed reactive wind slabs on leeward slopes and scoured southerly aspects down to the crust at upper elevations. The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.