Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 22nd, 2021 8:00AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Andrew Jones,
Avalanche hazard continues to improve, but pockets of unstable snow still exists in isolated terrain features. Safe travel practices are important at all hazard levels.
Summary
Weather Forecast
High-Pressure, clear skies, cool temperatures, and light northwest winds are forecasted today. Alpine temperatures will reach -10c, and will fall back to near -12c overnight. With a stationary blocking ridge in place over the BC coast, this weather pattern is forecasted to continue until at least next week.
Snowpack Summary
Strong to extreme southerly winds created widespread wind effect in the Alpine and at Tree Line, characterized by areas of scouring as well as localized hard slabs. In sheltered locations one can find low-density storm snow on the surface. The Jan 10 surface hoar/ crust layer is down 40-60cm in sheltered terrain at tree-line and below.
Avalanche Summary
15 artillery rounds were fired in the highway corridor yesterday for target verification, producing only 2 small size 2.0 avalanches. Natural cornice triggered avalanches to size 2.0 were reported from the Youngs Peak area. Cornice failure likely coincided with daytime warming. Several groups reported skiing steep lines with little to no activity.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Winds on Tuesday reached over 140km/h at Macdonald West Shoulder! This left behind wind scoured surfaces and hard wind slabs in isolated terrain features. Expect to find variability in the surface snow as you move between aspects and elevations.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 23rd, 2021 8:00AM
