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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 12th, 2020–Jan 13th, 2020

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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 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.

Regions

South Coast.

It is uncertain how fast the recent storm snow will bond with the old snow surface. Best to give the snowpack time to stabilize and gain strength before committing to bigger avalanche terrain.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Clouds with clear periods, light northwest wind, treeline temperature -16 C, freezing level below valley bottom.

MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light northwest wind, treeline temperature -17 C, freezing level below valley bottom.

TUESDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, light westerly wind, treeline temperature -15 C, freezing level below valley bottom.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny, light westerly wind, treeline temperature -16 C, freezing level below valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, a few small (up to size 1.5) explosive triggered storm slab avalanches were reported. 

On Friday, the snow was reactive to skier traffic. Several small (size 1) skier triggered avalanches and a few natural avalanches were reported.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 100 cm of snow fell within the past two days with moderate to strong southerly wind. There is uncertainty how well the new snow will bond with the old snow surface, as it is resting on a hard melt-freeze crust below 1500 m and potentially feathery surface hoar above the crust. Assess the bond of the recent snow before committing to avalanche terrain and travel conservatively.

Terrain and Travel

  • Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
  • Give the new snow time to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
  • Avoid terrain traps where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.

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.