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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 27th, 2021–Jan 29th, 2021

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Rockies.

As the wind picks up, new wind slabs may form in lee terrain features.

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with light snowfall, trace accumulation, 10 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -16 C.

THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 10 to 20 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -15 C.

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 20 to 30 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -12 C.

SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 20 to 30 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -10 C.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches have been observed in the region over the weekend or earlier this week.

Going forward, wind slabs could be triggered by riders if the wind picks up and starts moving the soft snow around. The most likely place to find wind slabs would be in steep, lee terrain features near ridges.

Snowpack Summary

Around 10 to 20 cm of soft, faceted snow may be found across the region. Forecasted moderate wind speeds may start to move this snow around, forming wind slabs in exposed lee terrain features at higher elevations. Cornices remain large, so use caution when on or beneath ridges.

Underneath the soft snow you are likely to find a hard melt-freeze crust that can be found up to about 1600 m and otherwise widespread wind effect. You may find a spotty weak layer of surface hoar between 10 and 50 cm deep in sheltered terrain at and below treeline, but this layer has not produced any avalanches to date.

There are presently no deeper concerns in the snowpack.

Terrain and Travel

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.