Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 8th, 2014 8:27AM
The alpine rating is Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeThe track of the incoming weather suggests the south of region will most likely receive the highest accumulations. Pay attention to local conditions.
Summary
Confidence
Fair - Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Thursday: Moderate snowfall overnight Wednesday should ease to light accumulations on Thursday / Strong Southwest winds / Freezing level at 800mFriday: Light to moderate snowfall overnight Thursday should ease to flurries during the day on Friday / Strong to extreme southwest winds / Freezing level at 900mSaturday: Heavy to very heavy snowfall overnight Friday will continue throughout Saturday morning / Moderate to extreme southwest winds becoming northwest in the afternoon / Freezing level at 1200m falling to valley bottom throughout the day
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported.
Snowpack Summary
Light amounts of new snow now cover wind-pressed surfaces at upper elevations, surface hoar in sheltered terrain and a melt-freeze crust on previously sun-exposed slopes. The cold temperatures from early December have left weak faceted crystals that seem to be variably reactive. In higher elevation terrain where the snowpack was deeper, the facets likely co-exist with a crust in the mid pack. In lower elevation terrain or in shallow, rocky areas of the alpine, the facets are most likely more widespread and may exist down near the ground. Either way, the "wait 48 hours and you're good" Coastal mantra does not apply as these conditions are likely to persist for some time, and will probably become reactive with forecast snowfall.Early season riding hazards such as rocks, stumps and logs are lurking below the surface in many areas. In glaciated terrain open and poorly bridged crevasses are everywhere.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Snowfall throughout Wednesday night will build new and potentially reactive storm slabs. Watch for increased reactivity in wind-exposed terrain.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Snow forecast for the week will create a steadily increasing load to buried facets formed during December's cold snap. Triggering this weakness may have nasty consequences.
Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 9th, 2014 2:00PM