Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations. Uncertainty is due to the fact that persistent slabs are particularly difficult to forecast.

  

SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with flurries; 3-5 cm. / Light, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -13 / Freezing level valley bottom.

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm. / Light, west ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -8 / Freezing level valley bottom.

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, northwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -10 / Freezing level valley bottom.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm. / Moderate, west ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -9 / Freezing level valley bottom.

  

15-30 cm. of new snow since Christmas day has buried yet another weak layer of surface hoar that was widespread at treeline and below. Expect this new snow to become increasingly reactive to human triggers as it settles into a cohesive slab.

There have been numerous recent reports of dry loose avalanches(sluffs) running surprisingly fast and far below treeline.

Thursday's reporting showed a naturally triggered size 3.5 persistent slab avalanche running in the alpine on a southeast aspect. There was also a report of size 2.5 naturally triggered windslab in the alpine on a south aspect. 

On Wednesday, there was a report of several size 3 to 4 explosives controlled persistent slab avalanches in the south of the region along the Highway 1 corridor. These ranged from south and east aspects to northeast running from the alpine to the valley floor. 

15-30 cm. of new snow since Christmas day has buried yet another weak layer of surface hoar that was widespread at treeline and below. Expect this new snow to become increasingly reactive to human triggers as it settles into a cohesive slab.

Lingering wind slabs formed last week may remain reactive on a variety of aspects due to shifting winds.

About one meter below the surface is the mid December surface hoar. This layer has recently been sensitive to human triggering.

Below that lies the early December persistent weak layer, it's about 80 to 140 cm below the surface. This weak layer is a mixed bag that often presents as surface hoar and facets sitting on top of a supportive crust. This is a nasty weak layer, when avalanches fail on it, they have been large and destructive. Smaller avalanches in motion may step-down to this layer resulting in very large and destructive avalanches. 

• Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a persistent slab.
• Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
• Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.