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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 1st, 2020–Jan 2nd, 2020
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Glacier.

If there is a rise in wind and/or temperature today, danger ratings will bump up rapidly. Be observant of any changes in the weather!!

Weather Forecast

Today, flurries will continue dropping another 5-10cm. Two things to watch for are rising temps and increasing winds. Freezing levels may rise to 1500m, while W'ly winds will increase to mod/strong. Thurs brings cold temps, flurries, and mod W winds. Another storm rolls in Fri/Sat, bringing 25-30cm and strong SW winds.

Snowpack Summary

40-50cm of snow now sits on the Dec 27th surface hoar. Previous Mod to Strong S-SW winds redistributed the new snow on lee features in the Alpine and exposed areas of Tree Line. The mid and lower snowpack has been settling and gaining strength; however, the Dec 11th surface hoar (5-12mm) still persists down 100-140cm.

Avalanche Summary

Several natural avalanches to sz 2 were observed from the highway yesterday, all occurring on steep, N-facing terrain.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

As the new snow forms a cohesive slab on top of the Dec 27th surface hoar, expect to see reactive slabs pulling back onto lower angled terrain. 

  • Use conservative route selection, stick to supported terrain features, avoid overhead hazards.
  • Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The surface hoar layer down a meter is still preserved in some areas and human triggering remains possible. Due to the depth of this layer, the resulting avalanche would be large.

  • Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3.5