Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 3rd, 2016 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Parks Canada aaron beardmore, Parks Canada

Increased cloud cover and light snowfall will decrease the possibility of loose/wet avalanches starting Monday.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Increased cloudiness and light snowfall amounts are expected Mon through Weds. Accumulations are not expected to exceed 13cm in the Sunshine Village area and about the same through out the region. Wind will remain light to moderate from the South. Check our weather stations for current conditions.

Snowpack Summary

A well settled snowpack with few weaknesses exists throughout the region. There is moist surface snow/sun crust on steep solar aspects. Isolated wind slabs exist on leeward slopes in the alpine. Below 2000m, the Dec 3 layer of surface hoar and facets remains visible down 35-70 cm but is currently dormant. Thin areas are faceting out and weakening.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose wet snow avalanches up to size 2 have been observed on steep rocky terrain with the sun affect and warm alpine temperatures. Forecasters ski cut a small windslab 15m wide, 10cm deep 30m long at 2450m in the alpine (size 0.5). Several recent small cornice failures have also been observed.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Isolated wind slabs exist in alpine areas. Today, forecasters triggered a small 0.5 windslab at the back of Chickadee Valley near Chimney peak. This is confirmation that small windslabs still linger in isolated areas.
Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 4th, 2016 4:00PM

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