Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 7th, 2014 5:13PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
snow safety,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for rising avalanche hazard on Friday with forecasted new storm snow.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Scattered flurries for Wednesday with seasonal temperatures. Significant snow beginning Thursday night through Friday with 10-20 cm forecasted. Winds expected to be westerly in the moderate range. The last few days there has been a temperature inversion with ridge top temperatures significantly warmer then the valley bottoms.
Snowpack Summary
Total snowpack depths across the region range from 100-140 cm, and are comprised of soft surface snow above a weak and facetted snowpack. In many areas at treeline and above, recent winds have created thin windslabs. Foot penetration is to ground in most places, again demonstrating the weakness of the snowpack. This situation will not change soon.
Avalanche Summary
The widespread natural avalanche activity that was reported two days ago has subsided. No natural avalanches have been reported in the past 24 hours, however human triggered avalanches are still possible in many locations.
Confidence
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
A generally weak and faceted snowpack dominates the forecast area. The potential for full depth avalanches exist.
- Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
- Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Significant fresh wind slabs exist in exposed terrain. The potential for a small wind slab avalanches stepping down into the facets below is a concern right now.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.
- Avoid freshly wind loaded features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 8th, 2014 4:00PM
