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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 21st, 2012–Jan 22nd, 2012

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

Regions

South Columbia.

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Sunday: 10-12cm of snow / Moderate westerly winds / Freezing level at surfaceMonday: Light snowfall / Moderate southwest winds / Freezing level at 500mTuesday: Moderate snowfall / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 700m

Avalanche Summary

Expect widespread avalanche activity in the wake of saturday's storm.

Snowpack Summary

On friday and saturday storm snow accumulations amounted to over 30cm in some parts of the region. The upper snowpack is now characterized by new wind slabs and storm slabs sitting on top of dry loose snow. Due to the nature of the most recent storm (warmer temperatures, moderate winds) you can expect a more reactive "upside-down" snowpack in wind-exposed areas where a denser layer over-rides colder, softer snow where weaknesses are more likely to endure.Various surfaces buried in early January including a rain crust, spotty surface hoar and preserved stellar snow crystals are now about 80-100cm deep and may provide a sliding layer for storm-related avalanches over the weekend. A surface hoar layer buried in mid-December is gaining strength, but professionals are still treating it with caution, as the consequences of an avalanche on this layer would be high. Occasional hard, planar results have been reported on this layer in snowpack tests. It's now down about 140cm in the snowpack.

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.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.