Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 18th, 2012 9:37AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain

Weather Forecast

More cold and dry air is on tap for Thursday as Arctic Air continues to affect the area. Light precipitation creeps in Friday and winds switch around to the S-SW which will warm things up a bit, Friday's forecast call for a high of -4. Moderate precip builds in Saturday and will continue through Sunday. Precip totals are a bit sketchy at this point, but these details will flush themselves out as we get closer to the weekend.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no recent avalanches observations reported from the region.

Snowpack Summary

The region received heavy rain last weekend creating a stout crust up to about 1000m. Moving up in elevation, that precipitation turned to snow. Winds wreaked havoc on the new snow in wind exposed areas. Those old wind slabs have mostly settled out now. The region has received a few small shots of snow in the last 4 days, and that snow is reportedly bonding well to the old snow surface. The snowpack is highly variable in the region as strong winds have accompanied most of the storms. Looking around you can see the evidence of the big winds; some ridges are scoured down to bare rock, others have fat wind pillows on them. Outflow winds are now effecting the NW Inland region.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Strong winds out of the North - East associated with Arctic Air have formed widespread wind slabs. Watch for wind slabs & cross loaded slopes in wind exposed areas at all elevations. Choose travel routes carefully to avoid wind loaded snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
Persistent slabs are getting harder to trigger but still exist in many locations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 6

Valid until: Jan 20th, 2012 8:00AM

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