Date issued

Jan 8, 2018 - 5:31 PM

Valid until

Jan 9, 2018 - 4:00 PM

Prepared by

Tim Haggarty

Still praying for snow here but some good skiing can be found in sheltered locations. 

Isolated windslabs as well as sluffing in very steep or ice climbing terrain require careful consideration especially if you venture into larger terrain features.

Regular season
Monday - January 8, 2018
Alpine

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Below Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Tuesday - January 9, 2018
Alpine

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Below Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Wednesday - January 10, 2018
Alpine

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Below Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs

What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?

Thin old windslabs remain a concern TL and above where they sit over weak faceted snow and surface hoar. While these are spotty and small at TL, these limit confidence in the alpine with the potential for larger slabs in bigger, more uniform terrain.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Approach steep lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

Avalanche Problem 2: Loose Dry

What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?

The upper layers of the snowpack have become weak in sheltered areas at TL while the entire snowpack has become weak BTL where it remains shallow. Be cautious in very steep terrain and in confined features where a small sluff could build mass.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Use caution above ledges and cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • The shallow, weakening snowpack makes for difficult trail breaking at low elevations.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported.

Snowpack Summary

Exposed areas TL and above have thin pockets of wind slab often found sitting on weak facets and surface hoar. The upper snowpack is facetted and sugary in sheltered areas. A mid snowpack crust is providing most of the strength in the snowpack but has lost most of its strength BTL. Faceting (or weakening) is well underway in the lower snowpack.

Weather Forecast

A westerly flow to the upper atmosphere brings moist air over the region giving way to a colder Arctic front late Tuesday. Tuesday: Flurries and small amounts of new snow.  Alp high -5 °C with temps dropping significantly into Wednesday. Ridge winds West: 15-25 km/h. Wednesday isolated flurries,  Alp -16 °C to -11 C. Light ridge winds

Danger Ratings Explained

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

4 - High

Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.

5 - Extreme

Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.

Large to very large avalanches in many areas.

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