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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 6th, 2021–Jan 7th, 2021

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

Regions

South Coast.

Tuesday night's storm deposited up to 40 cm of new snow at uppermost elevations. As a result storm and wind slabs at upper treeline and in the alpine are the main concern on Thursday.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to limitations in the field data.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday Night: Clear periods, light south wind, treeline high temperature near -1 C, freezing level 1200 m.

Thursday: Mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate southeast wind, treeline high temperature 6 C, freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Friday: Snow or rain, 10-15 cm, moderate south wind, treeline high temperature 3 C freezing level 1300 m.

Saturday: Cloudy with flurries or rain showers, moderate southeast wind, treeline high temperature 4, freezing level 1400 m.

Avalanche Summary

There are no recent avalanches to report, although I would expect an increased likelihood of triggering storm and wind slab avalanches at uppermost elevations as the most recent snow has a chance to settle and bond over the next few days.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm totals for the last week at upper elevations are upwards of 200 cm. This snow has likely seen extensive wind effect but we have received no alpine observations. Recent snow may contain and/or sit on a crust. At lower elevations, the previously rain soaked mid to lower snowpack will be dense and refrozen, or still wet below 1000 m.

The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.

Terrain and Travel

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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.