Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 31st, 2014 8:00AM

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

danyelle magnan, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Summary

Weather Forecast

An arctic ridge of high pressure is dominating the region. Mostly clear, cold and dry conditions are expected today and Saturday. Expect alpine temps of -10 to -20, with light N/NW winds. On Sunday, a weak weather system will move through the province, bringing cloudy skies but little snow. On Monday, the clear skies and cold temps will return.

Snowpack Summary

5cm of snow has buried various surfaces, with moderate winds moving it around. On steep solar aspects it will bond poorly to a suncrust, and elsewhere it will help preserve surface hoar and surface facets. In the alpine it hides hard windslabs and challenging skiing. The mid-pack is well settled and strong, with weaker basal layers.

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanches were observed yesterday. Small loose avalanches (sluffs) have been triggered by skiers in steep terrain. Recently, field teams were able to ski-cut thin (5cm) hard slabs in wind affected areas in the alpine.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

5cm of snow will bond poorly to the various surfaces; sun crust and surface hoar; it has buried. Expect sluffing in steep terrain. Be cautious in terrain like confined gullies, where snow can accumulate deeper, or exposed areas over cliffs.

On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.Watch for terrain traps where small amounts of snow will acumulate into deep deposits.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Slightly deeper soft slabs may exist along ridge crest and breaks in terrain due to yesterdays winds. These soft slabs will bond poorly to the surfaces below. On exposed alpine slopes they bury hardslabs.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 1st, 2014 8:00AM