Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Jan 8 – 9, 2015Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Recent wind and warming have probably resulted in variable conditions throughout the region.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Moderate to strong winds may have created fresh and potentially reactive wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. Watch for triggering in the lee of ridge crests and terrain breaks.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    A buried persistent weakness down 30-50 cm should remain on your radar as it has the potential to produce large avalanches. Dig down and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Confidence

Fair - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: A strong ridge of pressure will dominate the weather pattern for at least the next few days. Expect a mix of sun and cloud, light or moderate W-NW winds, and slight temperature inversion (although staying below zero). The only blip on the horizon is late Saturday/Sunday when a weak trough slides across the province. This might result in more cloud and a chance of flurries but no significant accumulations.

Avalanche Summary

One observer north of Sparwood reported one natural size 1.5 slab avalanche and one remotely triggered size 2 avalanche on Wednesday, both sliding on the buried crust layer down 30-50 cm. On Tuesday, there was one report of a size 2.5 natural slab avalanche from Allison Peak in the Crowsnest Pass.

Snowpack Summary

Below treeline and on south-facing slopes there may be a melt-freeze crust overlying up to 20 cm of recent snow. At higher elevations the new snow has been blown into wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. The recent snow sits on hard wind slabs in exposed terrain, and low density faceted snow in sheltered areas. Up to 75 cm below the surface you will likely find a hard, thick crust which formed mid-December. This crust has overlying facets and surface hoar (up to 10 mm in sheltered locations at treeline and below). This layer seems variably reactive throughout the region. In areas where the overlying slab is thick and cohesive, large avalanches are possible at this interface. A crust/facet combo which formed in November seems to have gone dormant for the time being.

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