Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 1st, 2020–Jan 2nd, 2020

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

.

Continued winds and new snow will build fresh wind slabs Wednesday night. Avoid wind loaded lee slopes and carefully evaluate the bond between new and old snow.

Discussion

The New Year’s Eve storm did not produce as much snow as expected. Rain and mixed precipitation extended to near treeline in many locations before transitioning to snow Wednesday. Reports suggest that the new snow is bonding well to the wet surface. However, the rain event did not fully saturate snow pack and weak layers in the upper snow pack may still be intact.

The rain did not reach these facets, about 6 inches below the surface of the snow. Crystal backcountry ~5500’ Photo: Dallas Glass

Snowpack Discussion

New Regional Synopsis coming soon. We update the Regional Synopsis every Thursday at 6 pm.

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.