Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 5th, 2019 8:14AM

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

ross campbell, Parks Canada

Glacier.

With Natural avalanche activity subsiding, the lingering chance of human triggering is still probable on specific terrain features. Most avalanche accidents occur during the first few sunny days after a major storm!"

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cold and clear today with a mild inversion and light winds today. Tomorrow we'll see much of the same. Flurries for Thursday, Friday, then back to sunshine, and high pressure for the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

~70cm of storm snow overlies the Jan 17th SH and ~60cm over the Jan 31st layer. Strong winds that came with the storm redistributed the storm snow in the alpine and exposed areas of TL. Wind slabs and buried crusts exist on specific terrain features depending on aspect and elevation. Low-density new snow can be found in sheltered locations.

Avalanche Summary

Only one natural in the park yesterday between Grizzly Couloir and Little Sifton; a size two, possibly triggered by a cornice, Sth asp in the Alp. One skier controlled size 1, on Puff Daddy, BTL, SE asp. There was a large cycle on the weekend with many slides running full path. Natural activity has subsided significantly over the past 48 hours.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The Jan 17th Surface Hoar layer is now down 60-80cm. This layer exists on all aspects, and is most problematic between 1400-1900m and on steep solar aspects where it overlies a crust.

Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls at treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

70cm of storm snow, plus strong to extreme Southerly winds created wind and storm slabs over the weekend. On Sunday Strong NE winds relocated our storm snow again into wind slabs on specific terrain features at all aspects.

Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Feb 6th, 2019 8:00AM