Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 2nd, 2015 8:07AM

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

Parks Canada andrew jones, Parks Canada

http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/links/goto_e.asp?destination=http://www.facebook.com/ParksMountainSafety/posts/768278099888848%E2%80%8EThe December 17 surface hoar layer remains the number one problem and requires careful decision making. New snow may conceal buried wind slabs in exposed areas.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Expect ongoing flurries today with accumulation up to 5cm. Ridge top winds will be southwest in the moderate range. Precipitation will ease off overnight as winds intensify. Saturday brings more light precipitation with strong winds.  Watch for wind slab formation. The next major system will arrive late Sunday bring moderate amounts of snow.

Snowpack Summary

10cm of new snow now covers recently formed wind slabs in exposed areas and facets elsewhere. The Dec 17th surface hoar layer is down 60-80cm sitting on top of a thick rain crust facet combo below 2100m and sitting on a settled mid-pack above. This layer is widespread and continues to be reactive.

Avalanche Summary

Natural avalanche activity has decreased in recent days but this is likely to change. New overnight snow and wind will form touchy storm slabs on exposed features. There is now increased risk of avalanches stepping down 60-70cm to the December 17 surface hoar layer, which is still reactive to skier loads.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
The December 17th surface hoar layer is still reactive. Avalanches continue to be triggered even in locations previously skied. Some areas offer few clues of the instability but the potential for large avalanches continues.
Choose conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
10-15cm of new snow with moderate winds last night. This has likely formed a thin storm slab in exposed ares, concealing existing wind slabs.  Riders may be surprised by this layer, as these avalanches have the potential to trigger deeper layers.
If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 3rd, 2015 8:00AM