Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 18th, 2016 3:00PM
The alpine rating is Storm Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeHighly sensitive storm slabs are everywhere. Conservative terrain selection is essential for safe travel.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Tuesday: Mainly cloudy with another 10-15cm of snow, moderate southerly winds and freezing levels around 500m. Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated light flurries bringing 2-5cm, moderate to strong southeasterly ridgetop winds and freezing levels as high as 700m. Thursday: As much as 15-20cm expected for immediate coastal areas, but dryer inland. Strong southerly winds and freezing levels around 500m.
Avalanche Summary
Reports from Sunday include several skier, vehicle and explosive triggered 20-60cm thick (or thicker where wind-loaded) slab avalanches up to Size 2. These slabs were both directly and remotely triggered and ran on surface hoar buried on (or around) January 9th at all elevations and on all aspects.
Snowpack Summary
Recent storm snow amounts have been variable across the region, but generally 30-45cm since mid January when the most recent surface hoar was buried. Below that is another surface hoar layer down 50-65cm. Both are showing a high propensity for propagation with remote triggering and whumpfing, as well as sudden shears with snowpack tests in the easy to moderate range. Deeper persistent weaknesses buried in December have the potential to wake-up to heavy loading, rapid warming, or avalanches stepping-down. Recent strong to extreme southeast winds have loaded leeward features on west through north aspect slopes.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs are primed for human triggering on all aspects and at all elevations. Remote triggering and widespread propagation makes hazard particularly tricky to manage.
Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.>Stick to simple terrain and be aware of what is above you at all times.>Start with lower angle slopes before gradually working up to steeper objectives if conditions warrant it.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 19th, 2016 2:00PM