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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 23rd, 2014–Jan 24th, 2014

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

Regions

South Rockies.

Confidence

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure will continue to dominate the region bringing mainly clear skies and dry conditions for the forecast period. Another inversion will set in for all 3 days with above freezing alpine temperatures. Winds should remain mainly light and west/northwesterly.

Avalanche Summary

Very isolated wind slabs to size 1.5 were reported to have been triggered in the Elk Valley South area. They occurred in response to new snow on Tuesday night.

Snowpack Summary

Light amounts of new snow overlie a variety of surfaces which include: old, stubborn wind slabs in exposed terrain, well developed surface hoar in sheltered areas or a melt-freeze crust on steep, previously sun-exposed slopes. The main concern in the region appears to be weak buried facet crystals. The facet layer, which exists in the mid or lower snowpack (depending where you are in the region), was responsible for some serious close calls last week. Although activity at this interface has tapered-off, this persistent problem has potential to re-awaken with warming forecast for the next few days. Other possible triggers for this layer include cornice fall, or a heavy load over a thin spot.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.