Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 26th, 2020 8:17AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Parks Canada Danyelle Magnan, Parks Canada

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Glacier.

Sneaky pockets of wind slabs are reactive to triggering. Use extra caution in confined terrain where small avalanches can pick up loose snow and in extreme terrain where small avalanches can have big consequences. Extra heads up if the sun comes out!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Today should be mostly cloudy, with possible sunny breaks, freezing levels rising to 1700m and flurries starting later in the morning. Ridgetop winds should increase to moderate S'ly. Flurries will continue through Monday. Snow on Tuesday will add up to ~15cm with gusty SW winds and freezing levels at 1500m. 

Snowpack Summary

Sun and thin cloud caused greenhouse effect yesterday with temps in sun exposed areas at treeline reaching +2'C. Expect a sun crust on solar aspects. Storm slabs from the ~60cm snow over the past week seem to be settling and bonding, but periods of moderate to strong southerly winds have created pockets of windslab on lee features.

Avalanche Summary

Yesterday, skiers in the Forever Young couloir triggered a size 2 avalanche. Two people were carried down the couloir with partial burials and serious injuries, and were evacuated via helicopter just before dark. Strong solar triggered loose avalanches to size 2.5. Skiers also triggered avalanches on NRC, Video Peak and Grizzly Couloir. this week.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Incremental snowfall, combined with periods of moderate to strong wind, have loaded lee slopes. Pockets of reactive wind slab exist. Yesterday 2 skiers were seriously injured in an avalanche they triggered in the Forever Young couloir.

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Watch for stiffer feeling snow. Avoid areas that appear wind loaded.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 27th, 2020 8:00AM

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