Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Jan 15 – 16, 2015Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche danger may be higher than forecast if snowfall mounts are greater than expected.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Wind slabs may be found on a variety of slopes following recent changes in wind direction. Forecast winds may reload previously scoured terrain on north east aspects

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–4
    A buried persistent weakness, down 30-70 cm, should remain on your radar as it has the potential to produce large avalanches.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: A fast moving cold front will bring precipitation to the interior of the province through tonight and Friday with the next system forecast to arrive Saturday night.  Overnight and Friday:  up to 5cm of snow with moderate to strong southwesterly winds and freezing levels around 1500m.  Saturday: clearing with light northwesterly winds becoming southwesterly and freezing levels at 1000m  Sunday: potentially heavy precipitation  with moderate westerly winds and freezing levels rising to 1500m.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been reported.

Snowpack Summary

New snow may overlie a rain crust which exists up to 1900 m. In upper elevation terrain, these modest accumulations overlie hard, stubborn wind slabs. Up to 75 cm below the surface you may find a hard, thick crust which was buried in mid-December. This crust has overlying facets and/or surface hoar. This layer seems variably reactive throughout the region. In areas where the overlying slab is thick and cohesive, large avalanches are possible at this interface. A crust/facet combo which formed in November seems to have gone dormant for the time being.

Regions covered