Date issued

Jan 24, 2018 - 4:00 PM

Valid until

Jan 25, 2018 - 4:00 PM

Prepared by

deryl kelly

Forecasted snow (5-8cm) shouldn't be enough to overload persistent weaknesses in the upper snowpack.

Due the variable distribution of these layers it would behoove you to keep monitoring the sensitivity of any slope before you commit to riding it!

Regular season
Thursday - January 25, 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

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.

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.

Friday - January 26, 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

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.

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.

Saturday - January 27, 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

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.

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?

Small inputs of fresh storm snow with southwesterly winds will continue to build layers of windslab in lee features at ridge crests and open areas at TL and above.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs

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

This problem is made up of 3 significant interfaces in the top 30-50cm of the snowpack.  All interfaces seem to be slowly healing but have shown recent sensitivity to light loads in isolated locations.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.

Avalanche Summary

Natural avalanches up to size 1.5 were observed Tuesday in windswept alpine moraine features. Appears to be running on the persistent slab interface dow 30 to 50cm.

Snowpack Summary

Windslab continues to build in open areas and sits above 3 weak interfaces in the top 30 to 50cm of the snowpack. The distribution of these surface hoar/facet layers varies with the terrain, but is most predominant in lee features at TL and into the alpine. Field teams continue to monitor the sensitivity of these layers carefully, as should you!

Weather Forecast

The incoming storms have mostly blown themselves out by the time they get into the forecast area. For Wednesday, expect as much as 5 to 8cm overnight the through the morning Thursday. Alpine High -6C. Ridge wind light to moderate SW, gusting to moderate values.

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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