Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 19th, 2013–Jan 20th, 2013

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Glacier.

Weather Forecast

No new snow is expected for the forecast period. Over the weekend expect broken cloud, moderate westerly winds and temps from -3 to -6. On Monday, expect scattered cloud with more sunny periods and temps possibly reaching 0'C.

Snowpack Summary

Sustained moderate to strong southerly winds have created pockets of touchy windslab on lee slopes and widespread windeffect at treeline and above. A layer down 30-50cm has been most reactive on steep solar aspects where it is composed of facets/surface hoar on a crust. Below this the snowpack is well settled and generally strong.

Avalanche Summary

Yesterday, skiers reported triggerable hard windslabs. A size 1 triggered at the top of "Puff Daddy" on a NE aspect at treeline, fractured 5m above a skier. It was 30cm deep and ran 50m. There have been a few large (sz 2-3) natural avalanches observed daily. These have been triggered by windloading and are from paths with lee start zones.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Sustained southerly winds have been loading lee and cross-loaded slopes and creating touchy windslabs. They have been human triggered, often fracturing above the skier. Be especially cautious approaching breaks in terrain and convex roles.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Use safe ski cutting techniques before entering ski run.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

A persistent layer down ~40cm remains a concern. It has been most reactive on steep, solar aspects and produced several skier triggered avalanches last week. Human triggering is still possible, or windslabs may step down to this layer.

Choose well supported terrain without convexities.Ride slopes one at a time and spot for your partners from safe locations.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3