Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 17th, 2021 8:03AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.
Kate Ryan,
The park is busy! Be cognizant of groups around you.
The recent storm snow has gained strength, however uncertainty remains with the Jan 10 SH interface.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A cold front from the North Rockies to the South Coast will weaken and move across southeast BC today.
Today: Isolated flurries, 5cm. Freezing level 1200m. Winds W- 20 km/h gusting to 45
Tonight: Mainly cloudy with trace of snow. Freezing level 800m. Winds W- 20 to 40 km/h
Monday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Freezing level 800m. Winds NW- 10 to 20 km/h
Snowpack Summary
Up to 10cm overnight covers a thin surface crust on steep solar aspects. The Jan 10 surface hoar is down 35-65cm in sheltered terrain at treeline and below and is capped by a thin freezing rain crust in some locations. The Dec 7th surface hoar/crust/facet layer is down 1.5m. Crusts with facets persist at the base of the snowpack.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed in the past 2 days. On Thursday, field team members remotely triggered a size 1 slab on Jan 10 surface hoar at 1900m in the west end of the park, and the Lone Pine path glide crack on Mt Tupper released to ground size 3.
Confidence
Problems
Persistent Slabs
This layer is capped by a thin crust in many locations making it stubborn to initiate, however it has proven that it can still be triggered in sheltered locations. Avalanches caused by this layer may fracture above you!
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
- Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
10-15cm of new snow overlays a sun crust on steep solar aspects, and surface facets on northerly aspects. If triggered, these avalanches may run quickly and gather enough mass to push around a skier or rider.
- Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 18th, 2021 8:00AM
