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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 29th, 2021–Jan 30th, 2021

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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Northwest Coastal.

Up to 20 cm new snow might build reactive slabs in areas where it overlies surface hoar. Strong southwest wind will create touchy wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline elevations.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the track & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy, 10 cm new snow and up to 30 cm in the very south of the region, strong southerly wind, treeline temperature -8 C.

SATURDAY: Mainly cloudy, up to 2 cm new snow, moderate southerly wind, treeline temperature -8 C.

SUNDAY: Mainly cloudy, 1 cm new snow, moderate southeast wind, treeline temperature -12 C.

MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, trace of new snow, light southerly wind, treeline temperature -10 C.

Avalanche Summary

A few wind slab avalanches up to size 2 released naturally in the alpine on westerly aspects. These wind slabs were likely formed by the northerly and easterly outflow winds on Tuesday and Wednesday. Recent glide snow avalanche activity was reported on Wednesday. On Tuesday, explosive control in the north produced a few small avalanches in the recent snow. 

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm of recent snow sits on a crust below 1000 m and surface hoar in sheltered locations at and below treeline. The layers in the mid and base of the snowpack have gained strength with high snowfall amounts in January. Deeper layers appear to have gone inactive in the southern part of the region. However, in the northern part of the region (e.g. Bear Pass, Ningunsaw) there has still been regular avalanche activity on weak snow at the bottom of the snowpack with large loads such as explosives or cornice collapses.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Watch your sluff: it may run faster and further than you expect.

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.