Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 29th, 2012 8:16AM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs, Wind Slabs and Cornices.

Parks Canada danyelle magnan, Parks Canada

Heavy over light snow is being deposited under the influence of strong SW'ly winds. Numerous size 3 natural avalanches have already occurred this morning, running across the valley.

Summary

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
A cold front yesterday deposited 10cm of low density snow, which sluffed easily on steep slopes. Overnight, a warm front buried this layer with 35cm of dense, cohesive snow. Moderate southerly winds will have tightened the storm slab further.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Moderate to strong S-SW winds have prevailed during recent storms resulting in a series windslabs on exposed terrain. New windslabs are forming, and old ones have been buried. Major drifting and crossloading has been observed.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
A series of storms have provided lots of snow for transport by sustained southerly winds. Cornices are getting very large, and when they fail will provide large triggers capable of triggering deep layers and large avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 4

Valid until: Jan 30th, 2012 8:00AM