Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 20th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
kdevine,
Avalanche Canada
Storm slabs may be reactive to human triggering, especially in wind loaded areas, and at upper elevations. Watch for signs of instability such as whumphing, cracking and recent avalanches.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate -
Weather Forecast
MONDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with clear periods / southeast wind, 10-30 km/h / alpine low temperature near -6
TUESDAY - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries / southeast wind, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near -4
WEDNESDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods / southwest wind, 15-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -7
THURSDAY - Flurries, 5-10 cm / southwest wind, 30-50 km/h / alpine high temperature near -2 / freezing level 1500 m
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche activity has quieted down over the past few days, but recent snowfall and moderate southwest winds will mean that there will likely be fresh storm slabs, with the most reactive being in exposed terrain in the alpine and at treeline.
There have been no recent reports of persistent slab avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
The south of the region received around 10 to 20 cm of snow over the weekend. The snow was accompanied by moderate southerly winds and relatively warm temperatures, which will mean that the new snow has likely formed storm slabs in the alpine and at treeline.
The main concern over the past couple of weeks has been a layer of surface hoar buried 60 to 120 cm deep. This layer appears to be gaining strength and there have been no avalanches reported on this layer in the past week.
Terrain and Travel
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Approach steep open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, buried surface hoar may exist.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Around 10 to 20 cm of recent snow has accumulated over the weekend with moderate southwest wind and relatively warm temperatures. There are likely fresh storm slabs that could be triggered by humans, especially in wind loaded areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A layer of surface hoar is buried 60 to 120 cm deep. It has not produced any avalanches in the past week. Places where this layer could be triggered include open glades in the trees and shallow snowpack areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 21st, 2020 5:00PM
