Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 30th, 2014 8:52AM

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

esharp, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: An approaching arctic airmass will bring dry cold conditions throughout the forecast periodFriday: Sunny with cloudy periods / Winds: light to moderate from the northwest / Freezing level: valley bottom.Saturday: Sunny with cloudy periods / Winds: light from the northwest / Freezing level: Valley bottom.Sunday: Sunny with cloudy periods / Winds: light from the northwest / Freezing level: Valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Between 10 and 25cm of new snow overlies a variety of surfaces including: old wind slabs in exposed terrain, well developed surface hoar in sheltered areas, or a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes.The main concern in the region continues to be the weak buried faceted snow which exists in the mid or lower snowpack (depending where you are in the region). Although avalanche activity on this interface has tapered-off lately there is still the potential for large avalanche that could have nasty consequences. Possible triggers for this layer include cornice fall, or a heavy load over a thin spot.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An increasingly well settled snowpack means triggering an avalanche on a deep weak layer has become less likely. However, large and destructive avalanche may be possible in steep, rocky start zones with thin or variable snow cover.

Conditions are greatly improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Wind Slabs

Variable and gusty north winds are expected to reverse load alpine lee features and form isolated pockets of soft, thin, reactive windslab .

Be cautious if traveling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 31st, 2014 2:00PM