Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 18th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Dry, Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Darren Vonk,
Parks Canada
As we exit the deep freeze we can expect to see an increase in natural activity. Caution with exposure to over head terrain as sluffs can run far and fast.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Temperatures will continue to warm over the next few days. Winds will become westerly and increase to Strong values by Monday evening.
Sunday: 7cm of snow expected by evening with Freezing levels at Valley bottom. High -6
Monday: Trace amounts of snow High -6 Freezing levels rising to 1500M
For more info: Avalanche Canada Mountain Weather Forecast
Snowpack Summary
Continued faceting of snowpack. Up to 15cm of new light dry snow is not bonding well to the upper settled pack. This overlies a weakening mid-pack comprised of varied facet forms. This provides some questionable bridging over the basal facets and DH. HS average at TL: ~145cm.
Avalanche Summary
An ice dagger collapse off of the ice climb Curtain Call produced a size 1.5 failing on ground.
Confidence
Problems
Loose Dry
Up to 15cm new snow not bonding well to previous surface. As temps warm expect continued dry loose sluffs out of steep terrain.
- Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
- Sluffs may trigger deeper instabilities.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
New wind slabs forming on easterly aspects at ridgetop along with cornice growth. Buried wind slabs on all aspects in the alpine could become more reactive as temperatures warm.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The recent cold weather has promoted facetting and weakening of the snowpack compromising the bridging strength. Potential for triggering these deeper layers could increase as temperatures warm.
- Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 19th, 2020 4:00PM
