Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 16th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.
Benjamin Firth,
Avoid the alpine entirely as well as treeline features with wind effect and overhead hazard. The safest and best skiing will be found in sheltered locations.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Sunday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Low -11, High -7. Wind W: 20 km/h gusting to 55 km/h.
Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. Low -14 C, High -9 C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h.
Tuesday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Low -14 °C, High -9 °C. Ridge wind west: 20-40 km/h.
Snowpack Summary
Jan 13th brought upwards of 55cm of new snow to the region and it continues to settle with mild temperatures. The alpine and wind prone treeline has had and will continue to have strong winds promoting wind effect, wind slab formation and cornice growth. The midpack is supportive. Near the ground it is weak facets and depth hoar.
Avalanche Summary
Several size 1 wind slab avalanches from the last 24 hours out steep alpine terrain were observed on road patrol on highway 93N today. No other avalanches observed.
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Confidence
Wind speed and direction is uncertain on Tuesday
Problems
Wind Slabs
Continued light and moderate westerly winds in the alpine and exposed treeline have redistributed the snow well down into the terrain.
- Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
- Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Use caution around thin to thick areas where buried deeper weak layers could be triggered.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain during periods of moderate to intense transport.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Ice climbers be wary of this problem as even small avalanches can quickly gain volume and have serious consequences. The storm snow remains loose and unconsolidated. Watch for triggers that would wake this up such as rising temperatures and wind.
- Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 17th, 2021 4:00PM
