Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 16th, 2015 8:00AM

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

andrew jones, Parks Canada

Glacier.

New snow will bond poorly to widespread surface hoar layer. Expect sluffing in steep terrain. December 17 persistent slab is still the number 1 concern.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Isolated flurries continue today with up to 4cm of accumulation with light SW winds gusting to moderate. Alpine temperatures are expected to remain around -5. A slight ridge builds in on Saturday giving a break in precipitation before the arrival of a moisture-laden warm front on Sunday morning with up to 20cm of accumulation throughout the day.

Snowpack Summary

10cm of new snow sits on top of the widespread January 15 surface hoar layer. On steep solar aspects, this layer is combined with a 2-3cm crust. A cohesive slab sits on top of the Dec 17 surface hoar layer (down 70-110cm). The Dec 17 surface hoar sits on a crust complex that still shows weakness in stability tests. Well settled lower pack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed yesterday.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The December 17th surface hoar layer is still a real concern. This layer is widespread at treeline and more spotty at alpine elevations. The surface hoar sits on a thick crust complex which provides a firm failure plane for avalanches.

Choose well supported terrain without convexities.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Loose Dry

10-15cm of new snow sits on top of the January 15 surface hoar layer. Expect loose avalanches and sluffing in steep terrain. Although winds have remained light, they are expected to increase. Watch for developing slabs on lee features later today.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 17th, 2015 8:00AM