Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 27th, 2013 9:35AM

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

Avalanche Canada triley, Avalanche Canada

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Monday: Flurries and periods of light snow are expected overnight with light Westerly winds. Northwest winds are expected to develop during the day, and 5-10 cms of snow should fall as the warm front moves through the region. Freezing levels should rise to about 1200 metres.Tuesday: A trailing cold front is expected to continue to bring light to moderate snow fall amounts with light to moderate Northwest windsWednesday: Continued light to moderate snow falls and moderate Northwest winds.

Avalanche Summary

No reports of new natural avalanche activity. Some explosives control results up to size 2.0 and some loose dry snow sluffing in steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

There is now about 20-30 cms of storm snow above the weak surface hoar layer that was buried on January 23rd. Snow profile tests are showing planar results with moderate forces applied. The storm slab has not been very reactive. Natural avalanches have not been reported. Propagations have been limited to pockets of soft wind slab in most areas. Changing temperatures over the next few days with a warm front and then a trailing cold front, as well as continued incremental snow falls may develop a reactive slab where the surface hoar remains intact. There is quite a bit of variability in the amount of wind effect and snowfall amounts across the region.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
There is a lot of variability in the region. A soft storm slab has developed between 20-40 cms deep. Some areas have seen strong Westerly winds that scoured alpine terrain and developed some pockets of wind slab on North thru East aspects.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Jan 28th, 2013 2:00PM