Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Jan 8 – 9, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Cautious decision making is essential for the forecast period. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended during periods of HIGH danger.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–5
    New windslabs are forming with the continuous strong winds and new storm snow.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Expect up to 40cm of new snow.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Cloudy with lingering snowfall. Expect up to 40cm of total accumulations. Winds should be strong southwesterlies with freezing levels climbing to 1200m.Thursday: Expect some light flurries. As the storm abates, winds should drop dramatically to light southerlies and temperatures reach -13.Friday: Mixed skies with light winds and temperatures around -15

Avalanche Summary

Isolated windslabs have released up to size 1.5.

Confidence

Poor - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Snowpack Summary

In isolated areas, up to 20cm of new snow has fallen. In areas with northerly winds, the new snow has been transported into reactive windslabs on south facing terrain (reverse loading).This new snow overlies significant snow depth and layer variabilities. Hard windslabs, hard pressed snow (windward slopes) and previous wind scour are all lightly buried. In more sheltered areas at and below treeline small surface hoar is buried and on south and west facing terrain the interface is a sun crust. The mid pack is well settled and strong. This overlies one or two crusts (location specific) with the higher crust being as shallow as 70cm below the surface. Concern lingers (unlikely) for triggering a deep slab avalanche in a shallow snowpack area.

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