Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 23rd, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
ahanna,
Avalanche Canada
Strong southwesterly winds will continue to form reactive wind slabs Friday. Be especially cautious of natural overhead hazard and human triggering of wind loaded features.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
Thursday night: Around 5 cm new snow. Moderate southwesterly winds. Freezing level around 1600 m.
Friday: Around 10-15 cm new snow. Moderate southwesterly winds. Freezing level around 1500 m.
Saturday: Up to 5 cm new snow. Light southwesterly winds. Freezing level around 1400 m.
Sunday: Flurries. Light southwesterly winds. Freezing level around 1400 m.
Avalanche Summary
Over the last 2 days there have been reports of natural storm slab activity up to size 2 on northeast aspects at alpine and treeline elevations. Explosive control work has been up to size 2, as well as reports of skier triggered size 1s.
Snowpack Summary
New snow and moderate winds have formed soft wind slabs in lee features in the alpine and treeline.
The stout upper snowpack continues to settle in mild temperatures. Several crust layers exist in the mid snowpack as a result of previous warming and rain events. These have not been identified as bed surfaces or failure planes in recent avalanche activity.
The bottom 10-20 cm of the snowpack consists of faceted snow and decomposing crusts. Although inherently weak, this basal layer has not been an active avalanche problem in our region since 2019.
Terrain and Travel
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.
- Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong southwesterly winds continue to form reactive wind slabs. Expect possible natural activity and likely human triggering in the alpine.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 24th, 2020 5:00PM
