Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 21st, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
GL,
Avalanche Canada
Monday's predicted warmer temperature and 1900m freezing level has the potential transform our surface and midpack into a more reactive slab condition. The support at the bottom of the snowpack is inherently weak. Dig down and test the reactivity of the snowpack before you commit to a line or feature.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No field patrol on Saturday or Sunday and nothing new reported. Thursday-Friday, several deep persistent slabs and persistent slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
There is variable wind effect from previous few days of Northerly switching Southerly winds. Down 25cm is a weak layer that is producing results in snow pit tests. The bottom is weak Facets and Depth hoar. Tree line snowpack depth is 45-75cm. The snowpack is weak and largely unsupportive.
Weather Summary
Weather at Parkers ridge on Monday will be cloudy, flurries, -3 °C, light SW winds, and 1900 metres freezing level. Tuesday will be sunny, flurries, and 1600 metres freezing level. Wednesday will be similar but a few degrees cooler.
The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Variable winds means there could be wind slabs on all aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
The recent Icefield's avalanches are on North to East aspects down 30cm on a suspected Jan 4th surface hoar or facet layer. This layer is a concern if there is a supportive slab above it.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Triggering is possible in isolated features such as in steep rocky terrain. Watch for signs of whumphing and cracking.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 22nd, 2024 4:00PM
