Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 28th, 2012–Jan 29th, 2012

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Northwest Inland.

This forecast is based on very limited observations from the field. You can help! Tell us what you are seeing: [email protected]

Confidence

Fair - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: 10-15cm further snow, with the freezing level near 1000m. Strong winds. Sunday: Flurries or light snow. Strong winds easing. Freezing level gradually lowering.Monday: A moist north-west flow may bring a few flurries, with sunny breaks. Gusty westerly winds. Tuesday: Flurries, turning to light snow by afternoon as the next system pushes onshore.

Avalanche Summary

We've had no new reports from the region. Please send us your observations: [email protected]

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs and storm slabs continue to build above a weak facet layer which formed during the brutal cold of mid-January and was buried around January 20th. Rising temperatures and snowfall during the weekend will increase the likelihood of storm slab and wind slab avalanches, which could be very large. In shallow snowpack areas, a weak, "rotten" snowpack has been observed.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.

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.