Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 22nd, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
kdevine,
Avalanche Canada
Fresh storm slabs will likely be reactive to human triggering, especially in wind loaded areas, and at upper elevations. Watch for signs of instability such as whumphing, cracking and recent avalanches.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries / southwest wind, 20-40 km/h / alpine low temperature near -8
THURSDAY - Flurries, 5-15 cm / south wind, 30-60 km/h / alpine high temperature near -2 / freezing level 1500 m
FRIDAY - Flurries, 5 cm / southwest wind, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near -2 / freezing level 1500 m
SATURDAY - Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries / southwest wind, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near -3 / freezing level 1500 m
Avalanche Summary
With up to 15 cm of new snow forecast for Thursday, warm temperatures and strong southerly winds, storm slabs will be forming in many areas. These will likely be reactive to human triggers.
There have been no new avalanches reported for several days.
Snowpack Summary
There has been 10 to 30 cm of new snow over the past week and up to 15 cm forecast to fall during the day on Thursday. Strong winds and warm temperatures on Thursday will likely mean that storm slabs will be forming, especially in the alpine and at treeline.
There is a layer of surface hoar buried 60 to 120 cm deep. This layer exists primarily at treeline and below. It appears to be gaining strength, though test results indicate that there is still the potential to trigger it in isolated areas. Check out this MIN report from a few days ago outlining some recent test results on this layer.
Terrain and Travel
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Approach steep open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, buried surface hoar may exist.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs may be reactive to human triggers, and hazard could increase throughout the day with continuous snowfall and strong winds forecast for Thursday.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 23rd, 2020 5:00PM
