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Avalanche Forecast

Jan 11th, 2015–Jan 12th, 2015
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Northwest Inland.

Flurries on Tuesday with SW winds may produce wind slabs on lee slopes. If more snow than forecast arrives, use caution at treeline and above.

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

An upper level trough will move into the area from the Pacific early Tuesday bringing light precipitation, with perhaps 5 to 10 cm of new snow at upper elevations. A bit of clearing on Wednesday, then more light precip. on Thursday and Friday. Winds from the S-SW.Freezing levels should remain around 500m but may spike to 2000m on Wednedsay.

Avalanche Summary

Reports from yesterday include several natural radiation triggered avalanches on steep solar aspects. No other reports of avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

Strong and variable winds have created soft and stiff wind slabs on varying aspects in exposed terrain. Below the recent storm snow is a rain crust at lower elevations and a temperature crust has formed in some locations from the recent temperature inversion. In the mid-pack a surface hoar layer has been reported, although it appears to be spotty in distribution. Near the bottom of the snowpack is a crust facet combo that was buried in mid-November.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind loaded lee features remain on the radar for the time being, and a temperature crust is making the riding "interesting" at treeline and above. Watch for newly forming windslabs.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The buried storm slab should be bonding well with the mild temperatures, but still remains a serious consideration. A small avalanche could trigger this buried dense slab, and produce a large destructive avalanche.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use caution around convexities, ridge crests, rock outcroppings and anywhere else with a thin or variable snowpack.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 6