Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 16th, 2021–Jan 17th, 2021
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Glacier.

The recent storm snow has gained strength quickly, however uncertainty remains with the Jan 10 SH interface.

Take the time to identify weak layers as you travel today.

Weather Forecast

High pressure builds today, but will be pushed out by a cold front tonight.

Today: Cloudy with isolated flurries and sunny periods. Freezing level 1000m. Winds SW 15 to 25 km/h.

Tonight: Scattered flurries, 5cm. Freezing level 700m. Winds SW-25 to 35 km/h.

Sunday: Scattered flurries, 5cm. Freezing level 1200m. Winds W-25 km/h gusting to 55 km/h.

Snowpack Summary

The recent storm dropped 40cm snow burying a thin crust from sun and/or rime in exposed terrain. Jan 10 surface hoar resides under the storm snow in sheltered terrain at treeline and below. The spotty Dec 26 surface hoar is down 70-90cm. The Dec 7th surface hoar/crust/facet layer is down 1.5m. Crusts with facets persist at the base of the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed yesterday. Field team members remotely triggered a size 1 slab on Jan 10 surface hoar at 1900m in the west end of the park. The Lone Pine path glide crack on Mt Tupper released to ground size 3 on Thursday. Wednesday's natural avalanche cycle and avalanche control produced numerous size 3 slides and even a couple size 4.

Confidence

Due to the quality of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

This layer is capped by a thin crust in many locations making it stubborn to initiate, however it has proven that it can still be triggered in sheltered locations. Avalanches caused by this layer may fracture above you!

  • Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.
  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

The strong to extreme S-W winds that accompanied the recent storm has left wind slabs on lee features. Many of these slabs have lost their energy, however some are still able to be triggered in isolated pockets.

  • Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.
  • Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2