Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 3rd, 2016 8:03AM

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.

ian gale, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Use caution when transitioning into wind effected areas and treat the Jan 4th layer as a "sleeping giant", it could be a low probability/high consequence situation.

Summary

Weather Forecast

We in for another cool cloudy day today with light to moderate southwest winds, alpine temps to -9C and freezing level to 600m . Light precip is on the way tonight with snow and increasing winds forecasted to start Thursday night, possibly up to 25cms by Saturday evening.

Snowpack Summary

Last week's storm produced 50cm of storm snow which is now settling and gaining strength. Soft wind slabs should be expected on lee features after mod-strong S-SW winds on the weekend. Jan 4th interface down 60-100cm and is still producing sporadic whumfing and is possible to trigger especially in less traveled areas or where snowpack is thin.

Avalanche Summary

Natural avalanche activity has tapered off with the cooling temps, however with clear breaks yesterday a size 2.5 avalanche was spotted from a steep south facing ridge off Avalanche Pk The slab released from the base of a steep cliff with a maximum crown depth of ~1m and was likely triggered by cornice fall or solar release from the cliffs above.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

The recent storm slab is gaining strength. The exception is Alpine or at treeline where moderate S-SW winds may have created a soft windslab and fresh cornices. On lee and exposed features the cohesive slab could be 60cm thick.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

This layer is tricky to assess as it's not evenly distributed & sporadically reactive. It's down 60-90 & was still producing whumfs yesterday in the Cannaught drainage. It may be possible to trigger from a thin area or by a large trigger like cornice

Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 4th, 2016 8:00AM