Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 30th, 2022–Jan 31st, 2022

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

Regions

Glacier.

Energy in the upper snowpack is building as the new snow buries the surface hoar deeper with every falling crystal. The storm slab will likely be responsive to human presence, triggering easily.

Weather Forecast

So far we have received 20cm, more snow than forecasted, with another 10-20cm by Monday morning. Monday will be cloudy with flurries throughout the day, 20-40km/hr West winds and an Alpine high of -10. Clearing on Tuesday night and the return of cold temperatures (-25) into Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

20+cm now buries the Jan 29 surface hoar (5-15mm) and crusts on steep solar aspects. Expect to find storm slab at all elevations, but will be deeper in wind deposited areas in the alpine and at tree line. The Jan 20 surface hoar (2-4mm) is down 35cm. The Dec 1 crust/facet combo is down 1.5 - 2.5m.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche Control is planned overnight on Sunday into Monday when avalanche activity will be at its height.

We are expecting an avalanche cycle to occur, failing on the Jan 29 surface hoar layer and potentially stepping down to deeper layers. This layer exists at all elevations in sheltered / shaded areas and will likely persist for awhile.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Monday

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.