Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 22nd, 2013 8:05AM

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

Parks Canada ali haeri, Parks Canada

Watch your overhead hazards and for signs of instability with day time heating. North aspects are still affected by cornices above in the sun.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The high pressure ridge will remain for today bringing mostly clear skies and a temperature inversion. A pacific frontal system is to arrive by tomorrow morning bringing light to moderate precipitation into Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Settled upper snow pack with 5 cm of ski penetration. Sun crust on steep solar aspects. Snow pack is well settled. Profile on Avalanche Crest, 2450m, W asp, 42deg, 194cm snow depth, produced moderate to hard resistant planar results down 18, 27 and 47cm. The Jan 4 layer was down 47cm. On Bonney Glacier 2350m, 356cm depth, Jan 4 layer is down 92cm.

Avalanche Summary

1 natural loose size 1.5 west of the summit on a south aspect

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Wednesday

Problems

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry
Mild alpine temperatures and sunshine will weaken the upper snowpack on steep solar aspects. Moist snow is a good indicator of this.  Watch for overhead hazards like cornices and rocky outcroppings where loose avalanches originate.
Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Evidence of wind slabs still lingers in the alpine. Caution at ridge crests and on cross loaded features.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
A persistent layer down ~40cm remains a concern. It has been most reactive on steep, solar aspects.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Jan 23rd, 2013 8:00AM