Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 2nd, 2013 8:00AM

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

Parks Canada catherine brown, Parks Canada

The sun will come out today for the first time since this stormy period.  Keep your head up for terrain above you that may be getting baked, especially if the surface is moist.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure brings dry conditions today with no precipitation, light southerly winds and freezing levels rising to around treeline.  Temperatures will drop slightly Sunday as the ridge moves out and precipitation starts in the afternoon. Light snow is forecast for Sunday into Monday.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate southerly winds for the last five days during this storm period have loaded northerly lee features at treeline and the alpine. Up to 55 cm of settled storm snow has accumulated since Jan 26 near the west boundary of the park. Half that amount accumulated east of the summit. Heavy warmer, wind effected snow lies over lower density snow. 

Avalanche Summary

Warming and solar radiation will possibly produce loose avalanches on solar aspects this afternoon.No new natural avalanches were observed along the highway corridor yesterday. Artillery control on Thursday night produced several avalanches up to size 3, but mostly size 2-2.5, running far some with large dust component west of the summit.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Skier triggerable slabs exist throughout the park. Recent strong southerly winds have loaded northerly aspects. Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridges where the wind has deposited firm snow. Watch for shooting cracks as a sign of soft slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry
Use caution on solar facing terrain when the sun is out. Especially this afternoon.  Watch for loose avalanches triggered from hot spots, like trees and rocks.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 3rd, 2013 8:00AM