Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 26th, 2012 8:08AM

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

Sylvia Forest, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Good ski conditions continue at Rogers Pass. Today, watch for daytime warming of surface snow, especially on steep solar slopes, and slabs in the alpine. Cornices and glide cracks are both getting larger and should be avoided.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Clear skies will give way to clouds as a weak upper trough moves through today. Local light snow flurries are possible. Another ridge is building for Thursday, with the potential for an inversion. Solar radiation may be a factor today and tomorrow, especially on steep solar aspects.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack remains strong. Some wind slab has been noted on wind exposed slopes, but this problem is fairly isolated. Surface hoar and surface faceting has been observed from 2000 meters to the valley floor, and is best developed between1700-1800 meters. Some sluffing of surface snow has also been noted.

Avalanche Summary

Very few avalanches noted in the highway corridor over the past few days. This lack of natural activity is a good indicator that the snowpack is mostly stable. Some surface sluffing from skiers has also been observed.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Isolated pockets of wind slab were noted yesterday at and above treeline on wind exposed areas.� A 10cm wind skin overlies a 35 cm thick wind slab.� Cross loaded and windward areas should be treated with caution. Watch for reverse loading.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

Some sluffing in steep terrain could knock a skier over.� Ski tracks down Cheops West produced some sluffing in gullies, but stopped near the top of the track.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 27th, 2012 8:00AM