Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 21st, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Jeff Andrews,
Good quality turns can still be found in sheltered areas below tree line that were not hit by Tuesday's wind event. Be wary of overhead hazard on solar aspects.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A high pressure system will continue to provide mostly clear skies with temperatures trending to below seasonal.
Friday: Sunny with cloudy periods. Precip nil. Alpine Temps: High -10 C Low -15 C. Winds NW light.
Saturday: Mix of sun and cloud. Precip nil. Alpine Temps: High -11 C Low -15 C. Winds W light.
Snowpack Summary
Strong to extreme southwesterly winds have stripped snow from exposed terrain and fetch areas and resulted in wind slabs and wind affected snow in open terrain below treeline, at treeline and in the alpine. The midpack is supportive. Surface hoar is found down 40cm to 80cm in isolated sheltered locations.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous size 1 to size 2 wind slabs observed Wednesday, mostly from extreme west facing alpine terrain.
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Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Previous strong southwesterly winds have resulted in wind slab formation in open terrain features at all elevations. Be most wary of where slab has built over shallow areas, on unsupported slopes, and on steeper solar aspects.
- Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.
- Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Use caution around thin to thick areas. Keep an eye out for surface hoar in isolated sheltered locations below treeline.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 22nd, 2021 4:00PM
