Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 8th, 2014 4:05PM

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

Parks Canada snow safety, Parks Canada

Continued load on the weak base will have the potential to wake up the weak base on slopes that have not yet avalanched. We are in a period of slowly rising avalanche danger. JBW

Summary

Weather Forecast

A series of pacific storms in a westerly flow will bring precipitation to the west sides of the divide and warm westerly winds to the east. The strongest in the series looks to be Friday night  into Saturday and may be enough to bump the avalanche danger rating higher.

Snowpack Summary

Some light wind transport and a trace of new snow today with the first in a series of storms in a strong westerly flow. Last weeks storm snow is settling, but the weak base of depth hoar and/or crust is still the major concern.

Avalanche Summary

The natural avalanche activity triggered by last weeks storm has subsided and no new avalanches have been observed in the last 36 hrs. The potential for triggering still remains likely.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs
The weak base is the real danger. Moderately angled slopes with thicker snowpack are the best choices for not triggering this layer.
Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Fresh storm slabs can be triggered and will have the potential to step down to the weak base.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 9th, 2014 4:00PM