Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 29th, 2013 8:05AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Dry.

Parks Canada jon schleiss, Parks Canada

Lots of deep soft snow is available for sluffing, and if the forecast high winds arrive this snow will drift into soft slabs very easily and quickly. Watch out for storm slabs along ridge lines and wind swept areas, and sluffing in steep terrain.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A few flurries this morning will give way to moderate precipitation this afternoon and evening, followed by a lull overnight. Tomorrow we can expect more snow and cool temperatures with a warm up to -5.0 in the alpine on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 45cm of low density new snow.  Jan 23 layer is down 65cm. This layer is a sun crust on steep south and west aspects and rests on surface hoar to 9mm below 1800m. The Nov 6 crust is down 200cm.

Avalanche Summary

No New Activity Obs.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Storm snow continues to settle into a more cohesive slab. 50cm sits on a sun crust on steep south and west aspects and over surface hoar below 1800m. Wind effect may exist near ridge tops.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry
40 to 50cm of light storm snow will sluff easily in sufficiently steep slopes. Caution over terrain traps like cliffs and gullies.
Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 30th, 2013 8:00AM