Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 24th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
mkoppang,
Avalanche Canada
Warm temps, strong SW winds and new snow are building new windslabs in Alpine and treeline areas. Forecasters backed off there objectives today and thought, it can wait till another day. Be thinking about areas that have not slid and the consequences if it does...
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Cooler temperatures are moving into the region overnight and continued flurries also. Total snowfall will be no more than 10cm but the Moderate SW winds at the upper elevations combined with the warm temps are quickly building new windslabs. Light flurries are forecast to continue through the weekend.
Avalanche Summary
Nothing new today.
Snowpack Summary
The freezing level climbed up to 2200m on Friday with the snow just a touch moist below this elevation. New windslabs were quickly building in open areas at treeline and above and the snowpack had a distinct "cakey" feel with some isolated cracking. Easy sheers were being noted in the new windslabs down 20-30cm and the dec 31st SH/FC layer continues to produce moderate- hard sudden planar sheers down 40-50cm. Any avalanche in the upper snowpack will likely step down the the weak basal layers and be big. Be thinking about consequences.
Terrain and Travel
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a deep persistent slab.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Warm temps and moderate SW winds are making the windslabs more widespread in the alpine and isolated areas at treeline. Some cracking was observed and it likely continued to build throughout the day.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
These are still on the radar. It's worth digging or probing to inspect it. Large triggers are also worth considering, if the bottom layer is disturbed it will be a very big avalanche.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 25th, 2020 4:00PM
