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Avalanche Forecast

Jan 16th, 2023–Jan 17th, 2023
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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

Start on small slopes, and see how the new snow is bonding to the old surface before venturing into bigger or more committing terrain. Expect snowfall amounts to vary across the forecast area.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Very little avalanche activity was reported on Sunday or Monday, but expect natural and human triggered avalanches to be more likely on Tuesday in areas that receive significant new snow.

On Friday and Saturday, numerous, small, skier triggered wet loose avalanches were reported in steep terrain around treeline.

Snowpack Summary

Variable snowfall across the island will build new storm slabs over the next couple of days. This may sit on top of dry, settled snow at the highest elevations, a frozen crust somewhere in the 1500 to 1000 m elevation band, and moist or wet snow below treeline.

Snowpack depths at treeline are around 100 cm, tapering quickly with elevation. Although the snowpack in most forested areas below treeline remains below threshold depths for avalanches, many steep bluffs, cutbanks, and alpine-like features in the upper below treeline band are capable of producing avalanches.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy. Possible trace of snow. 0-5 cm of snow expected. Light southwest wind, increasing to moderate through the day. Snow/rain line around 1000 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 2-10 cm of snow expected. 10-15 cm on the western slopes of the island. Light south alpine winds becoming strong through the day. Freezing level around 900m.

Wednesday

Cloudy morning, possible sunny afternoon. 10-25 cm of snow expected overnight. Strong south alpine winds becoming moderate northwest through the day. Alpine temperature around -3ºC.

Thursday

Clear overnight, cloudy again by the afternoon. No new snow expected. Light northwest wind. Alpine temperature around -3ºC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Precipitation amounts vary across the forecast region. As new snow accumulates, expect fresh storm slabs to be reactive to the weight of a rider.

Use small slopes if you want to investigate the bond of the new snow to the old surface.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2