Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 20th, 2013 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
aaron beardmore,
Avalanche Canada
Climbers, skiers and boarders should be aware of hard wind-slabs in the alpine. Ski conditions are extremely variable. Expect better travel West of the continental divide.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Very little change is expected over the next few days. However, a small system may be gracious enough to deposit a few centimeters of snow late on Wednesday. This will not be enough of an input to change the danger rating.
Snowpack Summary
The strong winds from the last few days have created wind slabs in lee areas in the alpine. In some areas these wind slabs will be very hard. Otherwise the storm snow from last week has settled to approximately 25cm and sits on top of the Jan 6 interface, a combination of surface hoar and facets.
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches were observed or reported today. However, yesterday, a recreational party triggered a size 2, hard wind slab avalanche on Narao Shoulder, in Yoho National Park around tree line.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for wind hard slabs in the alpine. They are susceptible to human triggering.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.
- Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
The Jan 6 interface does not have enough load to be a primary concern. However, when more snow arrives, this layer will become problematic in specific areas (Kootenay Park near tree line).
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 21st, 2013 4:00PM
