Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 16th, 2012 10:52AM

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

Avalanche Canada ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Wind speed or direction are uncertain

Weather Forecast

The region is firmly in the grips of an Arctic Air mass. It looks like this pattern will persist through at least Thursday. Tomorrow looks very similar to today. Brutally cold temperatures: At 1500 m expect a high of -24 and low of -31. Winds will be blowing at moderate to strong values out of the E, NE at all elevations. Bundle up!

Avalanche Summary

There have been no recent avalanches observations reported from the region.

Snowpack Summary

The region received heavy rain last weekend creating a stout crust up to about 1000m. Moving up in elevation, that precipitation turned to snow. Winds wreaked havoc on the new snow in wind exposed areas. Those old wind slabs have mostly settled out now. The region has received a few small shots of snow in the last 4 days, and that snow is reportedly bonding well to the old snow surface. The snowpack is highly variable in the region as strong winds have accompanied most of the storms. Looking around you can see the evidence of the big winds; some ridges are scoured down to bare rock, others have fat wind pillows on them. Looks like this side of the mountains was out of the wind zone Monday.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Winds out of the N -E will likely form fresh sensitive wind slabs in unusual locations. Watch for signs of wind loading; snow blowing off peaks, fat pillow like formations and snow that feels stiff under your skis or machine.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
Persistent slabs are getting harder to trigger but still exist in many locations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 6

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2012 8:00AM