Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 27th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
kdevine,
Avalanche Canada
Human triggered avalanches remain possible in wind loaded areas and in steep terrain where sluffing may occur. Small avalanches can have big consequences if they are triggered above features like cliffs or terrain traps.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy with a few flurries, 2-4 cm / moderate southeast wind / alpine low temperature near -9
THURSDAY - A mix of sun and cloud with a few flurries, 3-5 cm / moderate southeast wind in the morning, becoming light in the afternoon / alpine high temperature near -7
FRIDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries / light southwest wind / alpine high temperature near -7
SATURDAY - Flurries, 5 cm / moderate to strong southeast wind / alpine high temperature near -7
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday and Wednesday, there were a few reports of natural and human-triggered size 1 avalanches, as well as a few size 1 explosives triggered wind slab avalanches in the alpine on Tuesday.
On Monday there were a few reports of size 1 human triggered dry loose avalanches on northeast aspects in the alpine.
On Sunday there were a few size 1 dry loose avalanches reported, as well as one size 2 explosives triggered cornice avalanche.
Snowpack Summary
10-20 cm of recent fresh snow sits on firm wind affected snow at upper elevations, on surface hoar in sheltered areas, on a melt-freeze crust below 1900 m, and on a sun crust on south-facing slopes. Recent winds have redistributed much of this new snow, creating wind slabs in leeward terrain, and stripping the new snow off of many windward slopes.
A crust from early December may be found around 200 cm deep in the snowpack. In shallow rocky areas, recent test results suggest that it may still be possible to trigger this layer. In deeper snowpack areas it has shown no recent results and appears to be unreactive in these areas.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Small wind slabs may be possible to trigger in leeward terrain at upper elevations.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 28th, 2021 4:00PM
