Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 11th, 2019 4:37PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
mconlan,
Avalanche Canada
Warming at higher elevations is expected, but how warm is uncertain. Best to use cautious route-selection, observe for signs of snowpack warming, and manage your adventure expecting rapid changes to the snowpack over the day.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy, inversion conditions with above-freezing layer between 1500 m and 2000 m.SATURDAY: Partly cloudy, light southwest winds, alpine temperature near 0 C, inversion conditions with above-freezing layer between 1600 m and 2500 m.SUNDAY: Clear skies, light southwest winds, alpine temperature 1 C, inversion conditions with above-freezing layer between 1600 m and 2500 m.MONDAY: Clear skies, light southwest winds, alpine temperature 1 C, inversion conditions with above-freezing layer between 1800 m and 2200 m.
Avalanche Summary
A few wind and storm slab avalanches were triggered naturally on Thursday within the recent storm snow, 20 to 30 cm deep. They were small to large (size 1 to 2) and were at treeline and alpine elevations.
Snowpack Summary
Warm air temperatures at higher elevations may impact the snow surface. You may find dry snow, moist snow, or possibly a frozen melt-freeze crust, depending on local air temperatures. Wind slabs are still being reported as widespread and reactive to human traffic in alpine terrain. Below around 1500 m, the snow surface is moist from recent light rain, which will freeze into a crust when temperatures cool.There are a few deeper weaknesses in the snowpack. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 150 to 200 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains in parts of the region. The likelihood of triggering these layers may increase with the warm air incoming this weekend. These layers would most likely be triggered by humans in areas where the snowpack is shallow.
Problems
Wind Slabs
If the snow warms, slab properties will form and the snow may become reactive to human traffic. Observe for signs of snowpack warming and back-off if you notice slab properties or signs of instability.
Use extra caution in wind-loaded terrain features.Observe signs of instability: whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.Cornices may be touchy; stay well-back on ridges and avoid travelling beneath them.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 12th, 2019 2:00PM
