Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 16th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Deryl Kelly,
Parks Canada
Uncertainty on how the snowpack will react to the transition back to tolerable temperatures, caution and a dose of dubiety would be prudent before stepping out into big terrain.
Summary
Weather Forecast
The arctic air is on the retreat as a series of warm, moist fronts travel inland to the southern forecast region. Warming air aloft will likely trap cold air in the valleys. Light precipitation will occur during the air-mass transition to a SW flow.
Find the Alberta Rockies weather synopsis here: Mountain Weather Forecast
Snowpack Summary
Light snowfall through the region over surface faceting. That faceting morphosis will be more pronounced in shallow HS areas. Upper pack settled and overlays a weakening mid-pack comprised of varied facet forms. This provides some questionable bridging over the basal facets and DH. HS average at TL: ~150cm.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed or reported
Confidence
Wind effect is extremely variable on Friday
Problems
Wind Slabs
New, building wind slab with variable loading depending on location.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The strength of the bridging over the basal weakness will determine it's sensitivity to triggers. Deep penetrating cold has weakened shallow areas and may be more susceptible to triggering and propagation.
- Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls
- Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 17th, 2020 4:00PM
