Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 2nd, 2017 4:27PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
snow safety,
Avalanche Canada
Skiing in the deeper snowpack areas is very good right now but watch for a weak faceted mid pack in thinner snow pack areas. Ice climbers should be cautious on the approaches to the Mt Stephen climbs where a slab may sit over this weakness.
Summary
Weather Forecast
An arctic ridge of high pressure has arrived and will dominate for the next few days. Dress warm!! Lows of -25 are expected with daytime highs reaching -18 under clear skies with light winds from the north. It looks like the temperatures will start to moderate and rise slowly by Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
The storm snow from last week has settled and tops a 100-150 cm snowpack at tree line. In areas with a thinner snowpack the mid pack facets exist and are quite weak. In these areas the main issue is wind slabs forming a cohesive slab over the facets with potential for larger propagations. Thicker snowpack areas have few weaknesses in the snowpack.
Avalanche Summary
Two size 2-2.5 natural avalanches in the Corral 1 and 2 paths, and a size 2 natural on Ptarmigan Peak observed Monday outside the Lake Louise ski resort. A recent size 2.5 avalanche was observed on the N side of Mt Burgess as well as a couple smaller slides on the SW aspect of Wapta Peak. All appear to be failing on the weak mid pack facets.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Pay close attention to the texture of the snow surface as you are traveling, and watch out for dense, wind drifted snow which could indicate the presence of a wind slab. Areas near ridge crests or sides of gullies are obvious places to find these.
- If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
In areas with less than 150cm of snow the weak mid pack facets from early December remain. This is a concern wherever a cohesive slab of recent snow sits on top of this weakness. Wind loaded areas are the primary concern. See Monday's profile here.
- Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 3rd, 2017 4:00PM
