New Year, great stability

While we haven't had a ton of snow in the New Year the lack of precipitation has been made up for by great stability and sustained snow quality. Aside from the Dec 7th PWL, there are no persistent weak layers in the mid and lower snowpack. Temperatures have remained cool and the intermittent cloud cover have maintained snow quality as well. Mt. Fidelity is showing 187cm at the study plot in Rogers Pass. While Kootenay Pass is showing 166cm at the MOTI study plot. The biggest detractor in the near country is tracks; the holidays were busy and with the lack of snow, the low hanging fruit has been skied.

Avalanche Problems

Jan 8 SH/MFcr The early January high pressure raised a surface hoar layer which was buried on January 8th. The distribution of this layer varies with the regions. The surface hoar is more prevalent on shaded aspects and the MFcr is isolated to steep solar features. In the Esplanade Range it was widespread and up to 10mm before it was buried, it is now down 25cm. In the Southern Selkirks the date of burial varies from the 7th to the 10th of January and it is currently down approximately 5-10cm.

Wind Slabs There has been a fair bit of wind in the past week, predominantly from the west-southwest. This has built wind slabs in immediate lee features in the alpine and at tree line.

Outlook

This week looks cool and dry. Seasonal temperatures will dominate the week and will be coupled with a fair bit of sunshine. Check out this 10 day model: